Dusit Zoo
Dusit Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in Bangkok.
This is the oldest zoo in Thailand, visited annually by 2.5 million people. Both
Thai people and foreign tourists come here, and of course, there are always a lot
of parents with their children. The highlights of Dusit are the white tiger and the
small albino Muntjac deer.
By the standards of the huge metropolis, the Dusit Zoo’s territory is not very
large. It covers only 18.88 hectares. In addition to animal enclosures and cages,
there is also an educational center, an animal museum, and a veterinary clinic.
Video: Dusit Zoo
Content
- Key points
- History of Dusit Zoo
- Animal
and bird collections - Visitor information
- Where to eat
- How
to get there
Key points
Visitors can view animals and birds, enjoy a pedalo ride on small ponds, relax
in cafes, and participate in animal feeding.”
Feeding large mammals leaves a particularly strong impression. Hippos, huge in size,
carefully accept fresh vegetables, greens, and watermelons directly from the hands
of tourists. On the ponds, adults and children feed turtles with bread and huge flocks
of fish, while large monitor lizards roam freely nearby.
It is very pleasant to walk around the park. Around the ponds and along the footpaths
there are many tall trees, which provide great shade. After hot Bangkok streets,
a walk in the Dusit turns into a paradisiacal pleasure. Visitors can breathe fresh
air and enjoy bird songs, and those who are tired of walking can always reach the
necessary part of the park on a small train.
Since the Dusit Zoo hosts many children, a playground with attractions has been
created for them. In the zoo there are enclosures with ordinary spotted cows, mini-horses,
sheep, and little goats. Offspring of domestic animals are allowed to be fed from
a bottle with milk. If desired, zoo guests can watch elephant shows and ride on these
calm animals.
History of the Dusit Zoo
At the end of the 19th century, King Rama V of Thailand visited many countries
of the world. During his visits to Europe, he was very impressed by the gardens in
big cities. In 1895, by the order of the Thai king in Bangkok, a garden was laid
opposite the Royal Palace Chitralada, which was named “Khao Din Wana”, which translates
as “Forest on earth mountain”.”
The fact is that during the construction of the garden, workers dug several channels
and ponds. From the excavated earth in the middle of the park, they built a mountain,
or “Khao Din,” and when trees were planted here, it turned into a forest – “Vana.”
At the very beginning, the garden territory was connected with the royal palace,
and only members of the royal family and their entourage spent time in a shaded corner
near the flower beds.
During the reign of Thai monarch Rama VII, the territory of the green garden was
significantly expanded. In 1932, after the country transitioned to a constitutional
monarchy, field marshal Pibul Songkram suggested to the reigning king Rama VIII to
open the garden to the wider public.
The monarch agreed with this decision and transferred some animals from his private
collections there. Thus, the first crocodiles, spotted deer, and monkeys arrived
in the royal garden. Moreover, it was decided to display the royal elephants to visitors
on Sundays. Necessary works were carried out in the garden, and on March 18, 1938,
it was opened to the residents of Bangkok. Since then, this place has been known
as Dusit Zoo.
Nowadays, the oldest zoo in Bangkok is included in the organization of zoological
parks of the country. In addition to Dusit, this organization coordinates the work
of the open zoo in Khao Kheo near the resort Pattaya, as well as zoos in Chiang Mai,
Songkhla and Nakhonratchasima (Korat).
Collections of Animals and Birds
The employees of Dusit Zoo have managed to accommodate 1600 species of animals
on a small territory. True, they all occupy rather tight cages and enclosures, and
this is what distinguishes Dusit from modern zoos. However, the animal care conditions
comply with all international standards. This is evidenced by the fact that many
local animals and birds breed successfully in captivity.
In the Bangkok Zoo, you can see animals that inhabit Thailand, as well as zebras,
koalas, camels, kangaroos and penguins that are exotic to the country. Among primates,
Dusit Zoo houses gibbons, squirrel monkeys, langurs, orangutans, chimpanzees, rhesus
macaques, and crab-eating macaques. Adjacent to them live graceful Bengal cats, tigers,
pandas, lions, leopards, tapirs, red wolves, meerkats and lories. There is also room
for spotted linsangs, binturongs, Malayan bears, porcupines, civets, otters, mongooses,
and giant squirrels in the enclosures.
For convenience of observing giraffes, gorillas and orangutans, a two-story walkway
is built next to their enclosures. Having passed along it, visitors find themselves
at the level of the giraffes’ heads and can feed the African giants directly from
their hands.
The collection of birds gathered at Dusit Zoo is impressive. It features 842 species
of birds brought from different parts of the world. However, not all of them are
kept in captivity.
“On the branches of trees and on the paths there are a lot of large-beaked crows,
locust starlings – mynahs, and tiny finches. And in the crowns of trees near the
ponds, large storks like to nest.
Information for visitors
Dusit Zoo is open every day from 8.00 to 18.00. To cover its entire territory,
2-3 hours is enough. A ticket for foreigners costs 150 baht for an adult and 70 baht
for a child. Keep in mind that walking pets is not allowed in Dusit, and smoking
and drinking alcohol is fined at 2000 baht.
The zoo has an excellent infrastructure and is equipped with signs in Thai and
English. There are free toilets in its different corners.
Where to eat
At the Dusit Zoo, they sell drinking water, carbonated drinks, sweets, and snacks.
Those who want to have lunch can look into the food court, where they cook traditional
Thai dishes, which are priced very cheaply – only 40-60 baht. In addition, the ‘7-11’
grocery store, popular with locals and tourists, operates right in the zoo.
For fast food lovers, there is a KFC restaurant here. Interestingly, Thai people
themselves rather than foreigners often visit it. The fact is that fried breaded
chicken is one of the favorite dishes of locals. Near the exit from KFC, several
large-beaked crows usually ‘stand guard’.”
“These enterprising birds carefully watch the customers and steal food from those who are distracted.
How to get there
The territory of the Dusit Zoo is located near the intersection of two major Bangkok
highways – Rama V Road and Ratchawithi Road. From the BTS “Victory Monument” ground
metro station, it is not difficult to reach the zoo entrance on foot in 25-30 minutes.
The same distance can be covered by city buses No. 12 and 18, or by taxi.
