🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
If you want a kid-friendly spot near Bangkok and Pattaya, Khao Kheow Open Zoo is one families choose often. What sets it apart from a normal zoo is the "open zoo" idea: many species live in wide enclosures with trees and ponds that feel closer to real habitat, so kids see animals moving around rather than sitting in small cages. The grounds are so large that you ride a tram or drive between zones — walking the whole thing on foot is not realistic.
Highlights for kids
The activities kids love most are the ones where they get close and take part, not just look. This is the part many families say makes the ticket worth it.
- Feed the animals — giraffes lean down to take leaves from your hand, and there are feeding spots for deer, rhinos and hippos too. Little ones love it (cups and bunches of animal food are sold around the park).
- Tram safari — a tram loops the whole zoo so you can see animals along the way without a long walk.
- Meet Moo Deng the pygmy hippo — Khao Kheow is home to Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo who went viral worldwide, and many families come mainly to see her in person (viewing may be time-limited when busy — check on site).
- Lots of animal zones — giraffes, zebras, tigers, bears, monkeys, hornbills and nocturnal animals keep a full day varied.
- Evening Night Safari — evening rounds let you spot nocturnal animals that wake up after dark, a different experience from daytime (advance booking or a separate ticket is needed).
When to bring the kids
Midday in Chonburi is hot with strong sun, so come early (opening is around 8am) or in the late afternoon into the Night Safari, when animals are more active and kids do not overheat. Bring a hat, water, sunscreen and comfy walking shoes. For toddlers, a stroller works well — the paths are smooth and easy to push.
Before you go
- Hours — open daily, roughly 8am–6pm, with the Night Safari running about 6pm–9pm in the evening (times shift by season, so check the zoo's page first).
- Approximate fees — Thai adults around ฿150–200 and children around ฿40–70; foreign adults around ฿350 and children around ฿120. Children under 3 and seniors 60+ usually enter free. Tram rides and the Night Safari are charged separately, and prices are approximate.
- Getting there — it is in Bang Phra, Si Racha; about 1.5–2 hours' drive from Bangkok and around 40 minutes from Pattaya. Just pin "Khao Kheow Open Zoo" in Google Maps; there is a large car park.
- Good for which ages — all ages. Younger kids focus on feeding and the tram; older kids enjoy the Night Safari and exploring the animal zones on foot.
Safety and value
The grounds are large and there are big animals, so keep young children close and hold hands during feeding, and always follow the signs and staff. On value, your ticket already covers walking the whole zoo; the tram and Night Safari are paid add-ons. One honest note: the zoo offers both open-enclosure viewing and some animal shows, a few of which have drawn debate over animal welfare. Families who prefer can simply focus on the walk-through, the tram and the feeding spots.
Want more Chonburi ideas and places to stay for a full family trip?
See the Chonburi travel guide →