ZOO

Khao Khiew (Khao Khiew Open Zoo and Night Safari) -On the way to Pattaya                                                 Chiang Mai Zoo -In ChiangMai -North                          Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo -In Nakhon Ratchasima -Northeast Songkhla Zoo -In Songkhla –South

Thailand's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries cover more than 25,000 square kilometres. Evenly spread throughout the kingdom, such places afford nature lovers opportunities to enjoy Thai flora and fauna in unspoiled surroundings. Here are some of the most popular. .

Dusit zoo

Dusit zoo, managed by the zoological park organisation, is where visitors can inspect various species of tropical animals. in the middle of the area is a large pond with boat and paddleboat services. it is open everyday from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. admission fee is 30 baht for adults and 10 baht for children

Safari world

this is located at km.9, ram indra road, minburi. the area of 170 acres is divided into 2 parts : the safari park and the marine park. the safari park has a large variety of wildlife in natural habitat. visitors can drive their own cars, or have a look from safari world’s coach. in the marine park, visitors can enjoy performances of well-trained animals like dolphins, birds, seals, and monkeys. open daily from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.

Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo

The world's largest crocodile farm is the most famous attraction of Samut Prakan. It houses more than 60,000 fresh and salt water crocodiles and also offers an exciting show of a man playing with this dangerous animal. The farm is located in the vicinity of Tambon Taiban 3 kms from the town. Crocodile skins are produced as material for quality leatherware. Beside crocodiles of all age, the farm also raises elephant, tigers, snakes and chimpanzees. The Dinosaur Museum in the compound displays life-size models and skeletons of dinosaurs. Tel: (02) 703-4891-5, 703-5144

Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo

Located just one kilometer from the Rose Garden, this 60 acre farm is another interesting attraction housing many different wild animals and thousands of crocodiles. Fascinating performances such as crocodile wresting, magic show, and elephant theme show commence everyday. The farm is open daily from 8.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. Tel. (02) 284-1873, 284-0273

Tee Lor Su Waterfall

Visiting Tee Lor Su Waterfall in Umphang, Tak province, is something to see a lot more than simply Thailand’s highest (and according to Thais the most beautiful) waterfall. You can arrange a trip through the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary down the Mae Klong river to Tee Lor Su.

The Snake Farm

The Snake Farm is located on Rama IV Road, near Henri Dunant Avenue, within the Thai Red Cross Institute. If you happen to get bitten by a snake or any other kind of animal then this is a good place to come for treatment. Vaccinations are available for cholera, smallpox, typhoid, hepatitis and rabies as well as snake bite. The Snake Farm is open to the public every day from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm on weekdays, and 8.30 am to 12.00 am on weekends and public holidays. Admission costs 70 baht.                        Tel: (02) 252-0161-4.

Khao Yai National Park

lies some 200 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, covers more than 540,000 acres, has an average elevation of 800 meters and a highest peak of 1,351 meters. The park supports elephants. tigers, bears, giant hornbills and other protected wildlife, countless species of wild flowers, trees and spectacular waterfalls

Doi Inthanon National Park

in Chiang Mai province covers Thailand's highest mountain (2,565 meters). Forest above 1,800 meters is covered with lichens and wild orchids while at lower levels several lovely waterfalls share the mountainside with Meo and Karen hilltribe villages.

Ko Samet in Rayong province is the focal point of a Marine National Park. The narrow, 6 kilometer long island numbers among Thailand's most beautiful islands and is fringed by splendid beaches, dazzling coral reefs and limpid waters ideal for snorkelling and scuba-diving.

Erawan National Park

in Kanchanaburi province is extremely popular. The mountainside forest setting contains the seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall, widely regarded as one of Thailand's loveliest cascades.

Sam Roi Yot National Park

in Prachuap Khiri Khan province provided major settings for the award-winning movie The Killing Fields. A multipeaked, thinly forested limestone mass rises majestically from coastal marshes that host numerous waterfowl species. Caves, islands, fine beaches and frequently seen wildlife comprise major attractions.

Khu Khut Waterfowl Park

in Songkhla province occupies 520 square kilometres of the Great Songkhla Lake and hosts some 140 resident and migratory species.

Ao Phang Nga National Park

in Phang Nga province featured prominently in the James Bond movie The Man With The Golden Gun. Verdant limestone islands, honeycombed with caves and aquatic grottoes, soar perpendicularly from almost perpetually calm waters. Major attractions include prehistoric rock paintings and a stilted Muslim fishing village.

Tarutao Marine National Park

in Satun province, u kilometres off the southern Thai coast near the Thai-Malaysian Indian Ocean maritime border, is a 51-island cluster covering some 1,400 square kilometres, and offers some of Southeast Asia s best scuba-diving waters.

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park

The forested park covers more than 300,000 acres spreading across Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces. The park office is located at km.80 on the picturesque Phitsanulok - Lomsak Highway.

Hadnopparattara- Koh Phi Phi National Park

The Phi Phi Islands are located some 40 km Southwest of Krabi and approximately 50 km Southeast of Phuket and consist of two picturesque islands – Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don. As with Koh Lanta, Phi Phi Islands are within the boundaries of Krabi Province.

Ko Samui and Ang Thong Marine National Park, covering an area of over 250 square kilometres, is located in Surat Thani province and composed of various islands noted for silvery sand and colorful coral reefs. Access to the islands can be made either from Ban Don, Surat Thani or Don Sak in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Si Nakharin National Park

Si Nakharin National Park is home of the Huay Khamin (Turmeric Stream) Falls. If the little fish at Erawan disturbed you, don't miss a swim here. The force of the water has dug some deep pools and keeps most of the fish at bay.

Sai Yok National Park

Furthest afield (more than 100 kilometers -- a little more than an hour by direct bus) from the city of Kanchanaburi is Sai Yok National Park, home to falls of the same name. Trails crisscross the park and also provide access to some impressive limestone caves.

Animals of Thailand

Over its 514,000 square miles, Thailand spans widely varying geological and climactic zones, from the temperate regions of the north to the islands of the south. In these zones live more than 10 percent of the world's animals. In fact, Thailand is home to more than 285 mammal species, 925 species of birds -- 300 more bird species than are found throughout all of Europe -- and thousands of flowering plants. Given the nation's astounding biodiversity, it is not an overstatement to call Thailand the jewel of the orient.

White-Handed Gibbon (Hylobates Lar)

If you're walking through a Thai jungle, you're likely to hear a white-handed gibbon before you see it. These gibbons are singers par excellence, and use their elaborate songs to define personal territory. Their songs begin with the rising of the sun, when males sing a series of short, sharp songs. In turn, these are repeated and expounded upon by females. Together, each mating pair distinguishes its own space to would-be intruders. The white-handed gibbon has evolved into two shades, blond and black, and interestingly, lacks a tail. But lacking a tail does little to stop the gibbon from swinging acrobatically from tree branch to tree branch, feeding on a variety of fruits (including figs, its favourite). White-handed gibbons live in small groups that are centred on the mated pair.

Young gibbons leave these groups in adolescence. These family groups defend their territories by song and threat display. These songs are usually initiated by the female and are a duet with specific parts. It seems that these songs are innate and not learned. They are specific to the species. At night, white-handed gibbons sleep sitting up in groups in "sleeping" trees. These trees are usually off limits for other groups.

Binturong (Arctictis binturong)

Relaxing on tree branches is the binturong's favorite daytime activity -- understandable, since the animal is nocturnal. Also known as the "bear cat," the binturong has an unusual adaptation for a carnivore: a tail with a prehensile tip. The tail allows the binturong to balance itself while resting in or climbing trees. The binturong's diet includes insects, rodents, small birds, fish and fruit. Females of the species tend to be larger -- as much as 20 percent larger -- than their male counterparts.

The binturong can be found in the tropical and sub-tropical forests of Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Palaway Island, Burma, Indochina, Sumatra, Bangka, Java, Borneo, and possibly Nepal. The binturong is rare in its current range due to habitat destruction.

Dusky langurs (Presbytis obscura)

Dusky langurs, or "leaf monkeys," thrive on the forest's almost endless supply of nourishment. Unlike other more solitary primates like the gibbon, langurs are most comfortable in larger groups. Communal living affords many benefits, including grooming, which frees langurs from ticks and fleas, and reinforces family ties between each member of the langur troop.

Tiger (Panthera tigris) 

There are so few tigers left in Thailand -- only around 500 -- that many Thai natives are unaware of their presence in-country. Recently Thailand lost 40 Tigers in just a few days due to the bird flu. Moreover, tigers lie low during the daytime, keeping them out of sight of men and animals alike. But with nightfall, the tiger emerges, and quickly lives up to its reputation as one of Thailand's fiercest predators. The tiger has superb night vision -- some six times more proficient than man's. Combined with its striped coat, which is difficult for prey to see at night, the tiger is a lethal hunter.

Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas)

Like all of its kind, the Atlas moth begins life as a caterpillar. By the time it starts to spin its cocoon, the Atlas caterpillar is more than five inches long, and only a few weeks away from its dramatic end. Whether male or female, the transformation from caterpillar to moth is a fatal one for every Atlas. When the Atlas moth emerges from its cocoon, it's an awesome sight, with beautiful ruby colored wings that span nearly a foot. But the Atlas' beauty belies a more sober reality. The Atlas moth, unlike the caterpillar, has no stomach, and from the moment of its birth, it has only a day to live. During that day, the female moth exudes a pheromone into the air. Even from miles away, the male Atlas' sensitive antennae detect the scent, and guide the male to the female. Pairs of Atlases mate, and then, with hours, they die.

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)

Within a few hours of hatching, purple swamphen chicks are active, already grooming themselves. For their first few weeks of existence, they rely on their parents for food, but after that, the reliant swamphen is ready to begin life on its own. Readily distinguishable by its large size and heavy build, the swamphen resides in marshes and lakes, where it lives among leaves and stems.

Mudskipper (Buliothalmis sp.)

Thailand's exotic inhabitants include the mudskipper, a fish capable of walking on land. With the outgoing tide, mudskippers travel out onto exposed mudflats, eager to stake out their own patch of territory. Good mud is a bounty for a mudskipper. From the mud, the mudskipper filters algae and other nutrients. Areas that are rich in food are highly prized, and protecting them can lead to conflicts. When mudskippers face off against one another, they raise their dorsal fins and swell up their bodies. Battles are short, with the loser departing, defeated until the next tide

Bubble Crab (Scopimera sp.)

In a visible daily cycle, bubble crabs emerge by the thousands from their burrows in the beach. They are barely the size of a human fingernail. With a practiced sense of purpose, they gather grains of sand and work them through their mouths, gleaning off the film of algae and microbes that coat each sand grain's surface. The nutrition gained from each mouthful is minute, but through the course of the day, a crab will move thousands of sand grains, which it forms into perfect spheres.

Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

What belongs in the forest but has adapted to the beach? Thailand's long-tailed macaque, of course. Dwellers on Thai islands, the macaque is the only large animal that forages on the shore. These macaques range through the shallows in communal groups, numbering from 20 to 60 individuals. While females remain with the group into which they are born, male macaques tend to move between groups. Macaques are intelligent, and will use tools -- such as a sharp rock -- to break barnacles from rocks. They also enjoy shellfish and crab

Useful Links:

Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand

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