North of Pattaya, in the forested hills of Si Racha, Khao Kheow Open Zoo is one of Thailand’s largest and best-regarded zoos — and a genuinely open one, where animals roam spacious, naturalistic enclosures rather than cramped cages. Spread over roughly 800 hectares with more than 8,000 animals across 300-plus species, it’s a proper half-day out in nature, and a firm family favourite.
Why it’s worth a look
The scale and the open habitats are the draw. Big cats — tigers, lions and leopards — live in large landscaped enclosures; an Australian zone reached by a free tram holds koalas, kangaroos and red pandas; and there’s a long roll-call of crowd-pleasers including capybaras, sloths, giraffes and elephants. In recent years the zoo’s breakout star has been Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo whose viral fame put Khao Kheow on the global map — expect a queue at her enclosure.
Getting around
The grounds are enormous, so don’t plan to walk it all. Most visitors ride the free and paid trams, hire a golf cart, or drive their own car through the open, drive-through sections. Feeding stations dotted around let you buy food to hand to giraffes, deer and other gentle residents — bring small cash. Going early beats the midday heat and catches the animals at their liveliest.
The Night Safari
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the zoo runs a separate Night Safari from about 18:30, taking visitors through the park after dark to see nocturnal animals and hear the forest come alive. It’s a different experience from the daytime visit and worth building a weekend trip around if wildlife-after-dark appeals.
Plan your visit
- Tickets: foreigner adults around ฿350, children ฿120, under-95cm free. Trams and carts are extra. Booking online (Klook) can save time and sometimes money.
- Hours: daily 08:00–17:00; Night Safari Fri–Sun from ~18:30.
- Getting there: it’s in Si Racha, ~45 minutes north of central Pattaya — take a taxi, Grab or a day tour, as public transport is limited. Many packages combine the zoo with a nearby stop and transport.
- Bring: water, sun protection, a hat and cash for feed and carts. Allow at least half a day.
Honest verdict
Khao Kheow earns its reputation as one of the country’s best zoos: open, green, huge and well-stocked, with real star power in Moo Deng and the big cats, plus a weekend Night Safari most Pattaya attractions can’t match. The honest catches are simply its size and distance — it’s a 45-minute drive, you’ll want to pay for a tram or cart to cover it, and the heat can be punishing at midday. Plan for a half-day, go early, and it’s one of the best family days out in the whole Pattaya region.
Recorded facts, FAQs & qualifications
Recorded short hours
Daily · 08:00–17:00
Daily 08:00–17:00; Night Safari Fri–Sun from 18:30 — confirm before you travel
Full overview
Khao Kheow Open Zoo is one of Thailand's largest and best-regarded zoos — a genuinely open zoo north of Pattaya where more than 8,000 animals across 300-plus species live in spacious, naturalistic enclosures rather than cramped cages. Set over roughly 800 hectares (about 2,000 acres) of forested hills in Si Racha, it's a proper half-day out in nature. Highlights include big cats (tigers, lions, leopards) in large habitats, an Australian zone with koalas, kangaroos and red pandas reached by a free tram, and crowd-pleasers like capybaras, sloths and the famous baby pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, who turned the zoo into a viral sensation. Because the grounds are so vast, most visitors ride the tram, hire a golf cart or drive their own car through the open sections. Foreigner tickets run around ฿350 for adults and ฿120 for children, with under-95cm kids free; the zoo opens daily 08:00–17:00, and a separate Night Safari runs Friday to Sunday from about 18:30. It's a firm family favourite and a strong bad-weather or nature-fix alternative to the beach — just budget for the drive (roughly 45 minutes from central Pattaya), bring water and sun protection, and don't try to see it all on foot.
More at-a-glance details
- Price
- THB 150As of 2022-01-01 · facebook.com
- Known for
- Elephant presentation · Penguin parade
More planning notes
- The zoo is in Si Racha, roughly 45 minutes north of Pattaya rather than in Bang Saray
- The very large grounds require substantial walking or internal transport
- Animal-show schedules differ on weekdays and holidays
- The only exact admission and parking tariff recovered in this pass is historical and must be rechecked before travel
The details
Prices
As of 2022-01-01 (facebook.com)
As of 2022-01-01 (facebook.com)
As of 2022-01-01 (facebook.com)
As of 2022-01-01 (facebook.com)
Contact
+66 38 318 444
On site
Facilities
- Approximately 800-hectare grounds
- More than 2,000 animals reported in 2026
- Drive-through/open-zoo layout
- Multiple scheduled animal presentations
- Parking
- Food outlets
- Family facilities
- Large outdoor walking areas
- Royal-patronage zoological park
- On-site transport options
Listing details
- Type
- park
- Tickets
- Foreigner adults ฿350, children ฿120 (under 95cm free) — confirm current rates
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–17:00; Night Safari Fri–Sun from 18:30 — confirm before you travel
- Time needed
- Half a day (3–4 hours)
- Updated
- July 2026
Recorded guest rating
Check recent reviews
Compare current visitor feedback on independent platforms.
Highlights
- Big cats — tigers, lions and leopards — in large, naturalistic habitats
- Australian zone with koalas, kangaroos and red pandas (free tram)
- Moo Deng the pygmy hippo, plus capybaras, sloths and 8,000+ animals
- A weekend Night Safari for seeing nocturnal animals after dark
Insider tips
- Ride the tram or hire a golf cart — the grounds are enormous to walk
- Go early to beat the midday heat and catch animals at their most active
- Bring water, sun protection and cash for animal feed and carts
- Book tickets online (Klook) to save time and sometimes money
Frequently asked questions
How much are tickets to Khao Kheow Open Zoo?
Foreigner tickets are around ฿350 for adults and ฿120 for children, with children under 95cm entering free. Prices vary a little by booking channel, and online platforms like Klook sometimes bundle transport or discount entry. Trams and golf-cart hire are extra. Confirm current rates before you travel.
What are the opening hours, and is there a night safari?
The zoo opens daily from 08:00 to 17:00. There's also a separate Night Safari on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from about 18:30, when you can see nocturnal animals and hear the forest come alive after dark. Hours can change, so check ahead.
How do you get to Khao Kheow Open Zoo from Pattaya?
It's in Si Racha, roughly 45 minutes' drive north of central Pattaya. Most visitors take a taxi, Grab or private tour, as public transport is limited. Many day-tour packages combine the zoo with transport, which can be the easiest option if you don't have your own vehicle.
Is Khao Kheow Open Zoo worth it, and is it good for kids?
Yes on both counts. It's one of Thailand's largest and most naturalistic zoos, and the open enclosures, free tram, animal feeding and stars like Moo Deng make it a genuine family day out. It's also a good rainy-day or nature alternative to the beach — just plan for the drive and the size.
How long do you need at the zoo?
Allow at least half a day — around 3–4 hours — to see the main zones without rushing. The grounds are huge, so using the tram or a golf cart is essential to cover ground comfortably, especially with children or in the heat.
Sources checked · 4
These are the pages used to check this guide. Opening hours, prices and other details can change after the recorded access date.
- Khao Kheow Open Zoo — official site (hours, zones, night safari) · accessed
- Khao Kheow Open Zoo — Klook (2026 tickets, prices, visitor info) · accessed
- Google rating · accessed
- Price: facebook.com · accessed