🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm has been open since 1950 and was once billed as the largest crocodile farm in the world, home to tens of thousands of crocodiles. After closing for several years during the Covid period, it reopened and has been gradually renovating its grounds. It's still a place families come to catch a show and stroll past the animals over half a day to a full day.
The crocodile show — the main draw
The headline act is the crocodile-wrestling show, where a handler climbs into the pond and puts his hand inside the jaws of a live crocodile. It's a routine that has been part of the farm for decades. Kids tend to watch wide-eyed, and adults get a closeness to the animals that's hard to find elsewhere. The show runs about 20 minutes, and it's worth turning up 10–15 minutes early to grab a good seat.
- Show rounds — there are usually several a day, mid-morning and afternoon. The popular ones are around 11:00 and 14:00 (times may shift with the season and crowd size).
- Check the schedule on site — the round times are posted at the entrance and near the show arena. If you're in a group, plan a round that works around lunch.
- Sit a little back from the edge — the front row sees the most, but water splashes at certain moments. With small kids, a row or two back is more relaxing.
A tip about the shows
The crocodile show and the other animal feedings are usually at different times. If you want to catch everything in one day, jot down all the round times when you walk in, then wander the zoo between shows so you're not running back and forth.
Want more out of Samut Prakan? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The zoo and the petting zone
Beyond the long rows of crocodile ponds, there are plenty of other animals to see — elephants, hippos, tigers, lions, bears, chimpanzees, and orangutans. The grounds are large and easy to wander. Some areas have just been renovated and look clean, but to be straight with you, plenty of it is still old and waiting to be restored. If you come expecting a modern zoo, parts of it may feel run-down. But treat it as an old-school attraction with a cheap entry fee, and it's still a fun walk with kids.
Animal feeding zone
Goats, rabbits, and capybaras you can feed up close — the spot little kids love most. Buy animal feed right at the entrance to the zone.
Tram ride around the farm
A tram loops the grounds and cuts down the walking on a hot day. Good for families with older relatives or small children.
Elephant ride
Elephant rides are offered for a separate fee. If you're not comfortable with using large animals, skip this and move on to other zones.
Ticket prices and opening hours
- Opening hours — open daily, roughly 08:00–18:00 (some periods open a little earlier and close a little later).
- Thai entry — around 100 THB for adults, around 50 THB for children (prices may change; bring your ID card).
- Foreigner entry — around 400 THB for adults, around 200 THB for children.
- Extras — animal feed, elephant rides, and the tram are charged separately, so bring some small cash to make it easier.
Straight talk
The Thai price is genuinely cheap for this kind of attraction, but the foreigner price is several times higher. If you're bringing overseas friends, give them a heads-up so there's no surprise at the counter.
How to get there
The farm is out in the Thai Ban area of Mueang Samut Prakan district, on Thai Ban Road, near the town of Pak Nam. From central Bangkok it's about a 30–40 minute drive without traffic, reachable via Sukhumvit Road or the Kanchanaphisek Expressway. There's parking in front of the farm, and if you don't have a car, you can get there by public transport too.
- Driving yourself — easiest for families, with a parking lot at the entrance. Just punch 'Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo' into your map.
- BTS + transfer — take the Green Line to the end of the line, around the Kheha or Samrong area, then hop on a short bus, motorbike taxi, or taxi ride.
- Bus — routes that pass the farm include 102, 142, 511, and 536 (route 142 actually has its depot right at the crocodile farm).
- Taxi/motorbike taxi from BTS — if you'd rather not wait for a bus, a motorbike taxi or taxi from the end station gets you there fast. Good when there are several of you.
A weekend family outing — a half-day plan
If you're coming as a weekend family trip, morning through early afternoon is about right — not too tiring for small kids. Here's a rough plan that's easy to walk.
Catch the show + the petting zone
Keep exploring nearby
Who it's for, and what to know before you go
- Great for — families with kids who want to see the crocodile show and feed animals, on a budget that's easy for Thai visitors.
- Fine for — anyone who enjoys an old-school attraction and isn't fussed about how new the buildings and enclosures are.
- Maybe not for — anyone expecting a sleek modern zoo, since plenty of the zones are still old and awaiting renovation.
- Come prepared — wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a hat, drinking water, and small cash for animal feed and the tram.
Plan a full day exploring Samut Prakan
See the Samut Prakan travel guide →