
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is very proud to have been chosen to join the Conservation Botanical
Project of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the third child of Their Majesties
the King and Queen of Thailand. We use the space here at Khao Kheow Open Zoo
for conservation and to develop a centre for conservation in eastern Thailand.
We aim to be a centre of study and research in a variety of biological
resources for conservation and to help future generations. Our purpose is also
to be a learning centre for groups which are relevant to our main duties of
support and development of the quality of education in the province through zoo
affairs.
We have been developing and carrying out our objectives for more than 31 years
and still continue to do so. This includes presenting a new image of Thai zoos
as a service for society, raising the standard of our zoo in the world along
with our developing society. The relationship between man and animal has been
going on for a long time, there is evidence from the past that this is for more
than 4,000 years. Since then man has discovered how useful animals are and even
took wild animals for use in wars. Animals are symbols of belief in religions
and are used for work or show especially in Asian countries such as India and
China. Here in Thailand we can relate to the forest and wild animals. We use
animals for work, war or even entertainment. This is a telling sign that Thai
people have found animals useful for a long time. Over time the ways of life
within society have been changing all the time, with zoos changing from small
stalls or travelling circus’ to large, fixed locations, using more space and
materials, leading to the refinement and improvement of the complex management
systems known as “ZOO’s ”. Thailand’s first zoo was “Dusit Zoo” or “Khao Din
Wana” which has provided good memories for every generation.
During the King Chulalongkorn period (King Rama 5), he permitted the
construction of the Botanical Garden at Dusit Garden in Bangkok. He also gave
it the name, “Khao Din Wana” because it was built on an artificial island in
the water. This name is well known by Thai people even now. In 1908 he went to
Java Island in Indonesia and brought some Chital deer back to Thailand which
were kept in a Deer garden located around Vimanmek Mansion. Over time the
offspring of the Chital deer have moved to Dusit zoo.
In 1932, after a change of government, Por Pibulsonggram was Prime Minister of
Thailand and he requested to King Ananthamahidon Phra Atthamaramathibodin (Rama
8) that local government change the zoo into a place for people to relax.
On 18 March 1938 Her Highness Princess Artid Tip arpa, who was regent to King
Rama 8 accepted the request and local government took over management of the
zoo. The local government then moved all Chital deer to the zoo and gathered
animals from over the country and other countries for people to come and visit.
The zoo was also redesigned to make it more peaceful and relaxing and named
“Dusit Zoo”, the first zoo in Thailand. In 1969 the Zoo Organization Committee
(founded in 1954), took over the management of the zoo directly. They thought
that Dusit zoo didn’t have enough space for the population of animals with many
living problems such as keeping the animals within their natural environments
and breeding. They decided to use an area of the national park at Khao Kheow
and Khao Chum Puh in Chonburi to build Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The committee sent
authorities to survey the area alongside the Royal Forest Department and got
the permit to proceed in 1973.
In 1974 The Zoo Organization Committee chose an area around the base of Khao
Kheow Mountain, it was a degenerate forest which they rehabilitated, restored
and built the facilities required for Khao Kheow Open Zoo. They started by
moving animals from Dusit Zoo to live here in a more natural environment of 200
acres in size. The first kind of animals moved here were different types of
deer (Barking Deer, Chital Deer, Hog Deer and Wild Deer.) Khao Kheow Open Zoo
was opened to the public on 1 June 1978 and in 1984 the Zoo Organization got a
permit from Ministers to extend the area of the zoo by a further more 1000
acres, this extension was in the animal and wildlife conservation area of Khao
Kheow and Khao Chum Puh. The zoos total area was now 1200 acres.
In 1992 cabinet ministers made the decision that the development of the Khao
Kheow Open Zoo project was to be more beneficial for society and also to extend
the area by another 800 acres. Khao Kheow Open Zoo is now 2000 acres in size
making it the largest zoo area in the world.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo is located at 235 Moo 7, Tumbun Bangpra, Ampur Sriracha,
Chonburi. It is 25 kilometres from Siricha town. The Zoo is situated in the
foothills of the only remaining forest left in Chonburi. The surrounding
environment is a mixture of dry and evergreen forests that are very natural,
plentiful and unchanged from the past. Most of the animals live in large stalls
which are always suitable for them. Visitors can experience the animals up
close.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo has grown large from taking the overflow animals from other
zoos and presently we are progressing into the future with better management.
Our vision is to develop our quality of management to the standard of other top
zoos in the world.To manage and take care of animals and conservation.
Including keeping the balance between nature and the environment, this will be
beneficial for the country. To educate, study, research and provide
recreational areas for the development of the mind. This will help people of
all ages to realize how important the conservation of their natural environment
and surroundings is.To develop Khao Kheow Open Zoo to be well known and
recognized as a relaxing place.
TICKET PRICES :
Adult 300 baht
Child 150 baht
The price includes 2 free shows (Animal Show and Journey to the Jungle.)If you
want to visit in groups please contact our staff in advance for more
information tel. (66) 0-3831-8444 ext.711
http://kkopenzoo.com/