# Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Pattaya > Khao Kheow Open Zoo is Asia's second-largest zoo: about 800 ha in the forested foothills of Si Racha, with more than 8,000 animals. It's home to the famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng. Tickets for foreigners are about 350 baht, 120 for children (unofficial). It's open roughly 8:00–17:00. It's about 50 km from Pattaya, an hour by car. Allow a full day. Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/khao-kheow-zoo - City: [Pattaya](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya), Thailand - YesGo score: 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - With kids: Fine with kids - Ticket for foreigners: About 350 baht for adults, 120 for children - Hours: Daily, roughly 8:00–17:00; last entry earlier - Night safari: Friday to Sunday from about 18:30 — separate ticket - Getting around: On foot, by shuttle tram or a rented golf cart - Size: About 800 ha — Asia's second-largest zoo - Distances: ≈ 49 km from central Pattaya, about an hour; ≈ 90 km from Bangkok - Coordinates: 13.21350, 101.06120 - Facts checked: 08.11.2026 ## Key facts - **≈ 800 ha** — the zoo's area — the second largest in Asia (source: English Wikipedia) - **> 8,000** — animals from more than 300 species (source: English Wikipedia) - **1974** — founded in the foothills of Khao Kheow mountain when Bangkok's Dusit Zoo ran out of room (source: English Wikipedia) - **1978** — the zoo opened to the public (source: English Wikipedia) - **Moo Deng** — the pygmy hippo born on 10 July 2024 — a worldwide internet meme (source: English Wikipedia) - **Savannah** — a zone with zebras, giraffes, antelope and white rhinos; many can be fed (source: English Wikipedia) - **Golf carts** — visitors tour by golf cart, car or on foot (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 49 km** — by road from central Pattaya, about an hour (source: OSRM route) ## Tickets, hours and the night safari According to 2026 guides, tickets for foreigners cost **about 350 baht** and **120** for children; some shows and the bird aviary are included. The zoo is open **daily from about 8:00 to 17:00**, with last entry earlier. The **night safari** runs **Friday to Sunday** from 18:30, with a separate ticket. The zoo's official website is a web app without a public price list, so check prices at the ticket desk. The **shuttle tram** and **golf cart rental** cost extra; a golf cart is the most convenient way round — the grounds are huge. ## What is Khao Kheow Open Zoo? **Khao Kheow** is an open zoo run by the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, in the forested foothills of Khao Kheow mountain in **Si Racha**, about 50 km from Pattaya. It was founded in **1974**, when Bangkok's Dusit Zoo ran out of space, and opened to visitors in **1978**. Today it covers about **800 ha** with **more than 8,000 animals** — the second-largest zoo in Asia. Its hallmark is **space**: animals live in large enclosures and zones such as the 'African Savannah' with zebras, giraffes, antelope and rhinos, while visitors tour by golf cart, car or on foot. Its most famous resident is the pygmy hippo **Moo Deng**, born on 10 July 2024, who became a global sensation. > **How to see Moo Deng** At weekends and on holidays there's a queue at the pygmy hippo enclosure — arrive at opening and head there first. The hippos spend a lot of time in the water and sleep through the day, so they're most active in the morning. Don't tap on the glass or throw anything into the enclosure. ## What to see - **Pygmy hippos** — including Moo Deng. - **The African Savannah** — zebras, giraffes, antelope, white rhinos. - **Giraffe feeding** and feeding other animals (food sold on site). - **The bird aviary** — a large walk-through. - **Animal shows** on a schedule. - **The night safari** — weekend evenings. ## How to get to Khao Kheow 1. **From central Pattaya** it's about 49 km north on Highway 7 or Sukhumvit Road — around an hour by taxi or Bolt. 2. **From Bangkok** it's about 90 km, 1–1.5 hours by car. 3. **On a tour from Pattaya** — with transfer and ticket. 4. There's no convenient public transport — arrange waiting time or a return ride with your driver. 5. Park on site, then go by golf cart, tram or on foot. ## How long do you need? Allow **a full day**: 4–6 hours at the zoo plus about an hour's drive each way. Arrive **at opening** — the animals are more active in the morning and the heat isn't yet at its worst. With children it's one of the best trips from Pattaya: giraffe feeding, hippos and spacious zones. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen. ## Is Khao Kheow worth it? Yes, especially with children: it's a huge zoo in the forest where animals have plenty of space, and the only place to see Moo Deng. The YesGo take: it's a long way from Pattaya, and without a golf cart the heat wears you out. Views on animal shows in zoos are mixed — decide for yourself whether to watch them. If you can't spare a full day, pick something closer. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Arriving at opening - [ ] Cash for tickets, golf cart and animal food - [ ] Pygmy hippos first - [ ] Water, a hat and sunscreen - [ ] Return ride arranged ## Pattaya nature and parks: compare and choose Parks, gardens and nature spots in Pattaya rated by YesGo. - [Pattaya Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/pattaya-beach) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free - [Jomtien Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/jomtien-beach) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free - [Wat Yansangwararam](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/wat-yansangwararam) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free - [Ko Lan](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/ko-lan) — YesGo score 17/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ferry ≈ 30 baht, speedboat ≈ 150–300 ## Pattaya with children One day at Khao Kheow Zoo, another at Nong Nooch with its Dinosaur Valley, and evenings on Jomtien Beach. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Khao Kheow Open Zoo](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/khao-kheow-zoo) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ≈ 350 baht, children ≈ 120 2. [Nong Nooch Tropical Garden](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/nong-nooch) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · from ≈ 500 baht, packages with shows cost more 3. [Jomtien Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/jomtien-beach) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free ## Good to know Khao Kheow Open Zoo is in Si Racha district. The Khao Kheow Country Club golf course is a different place. Bangkok's Dusit Zoo has closed, and its animals were moved to other zoos in Thailand. ## Tips - A golf cart saves energy — the grounds are huge. - Go to Moo Deng first — the queue builds later. - Buy giraffe food only on site. - Animals are more active in the morning. - A second family day: [Nong Nooch garden](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/nong-nooch). ## Questions ### How much is entry to Khao Kheow Zoo? About 350 baht for foreign adults and 120 for children (according to guides). ### What are the zoo's opening hours? Daily, roughly 8:00 to 17:00. ### Can I see Moo Deng? Yes, she lives at Khao Kheow; visit her enclosure in the morning. ### How do I get there from Pattaya? About 49 km — an hour by taxi, Bolt or on a tour. ### Is there a night safari? Yes, Friday to Sunday evenings, with a separate ticket. ### Do I need a golf cart? Not essential, but the grounds are huge — it's much easier with one. ### How long do you need? A full day including the drive. ### How big is the zoo? About 800 ha — Asia's second largest. ## How we checked The official khaokheow.zoothailand.or.th website is a web app without a public price list, so the 350/120 baht prices, 8:00–17:00 hours and Friday–Sunday night safari come from 2026 guides and are marked unconfirmed. Area, animal numbers, history and zones are from English Wikipedia, as is Moo Deng's birth date; a July 2026 guide confirms she's still at the zoo. Debates over elephant shows are described neutrally, without detail. Distances are OSRM routes from central Pattaya (49 km) and Bangkok (≈ 90 km). ## Sources - English Wikipedia — Khao Kheow Open Zoo: area, animal numbers, history, zones, ways to get around; Moo Deng: date of birth - 2026 travel guides (Thai Holiday Guide and others) — prices, hours, night safari (unofficial) - OSM — coordinates; OSRM route — distances from Pattaya and Bangkok - YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.