Songkhla Zoo

📍 Location of Songkhla Zoo 🚘 Directions to Songkhla Zoo

About Songkhla Zoo

The zoo is a fantastic destination for families, especially those with young children and teenagers. It operates daily, offering live shows that are both interesting and entertaining for kids. The entrance fee is 240thb, with separate charges for the shows. It's recommended to arrive around 1pm local time to catch the second half of the shows, which start at 1.30pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm. Children under three or below a certain height can enter for free.

The live shows are the main attraction, so it's worth spending a little extra to see them. Visitors can drive their own cars inside the zoo to each of the shows. There are three shows in total, featuring a variety of animals. The first show includes a black bear and birds, with a parrot available for photo taking upon exit. There's also a yellow snake, although some visitors may choose to skip this part.

The second show features sea seals, which are incredibly talented and a joy to watch. While there isn't a penguin show, there are penguins located behind the show's room. The third show is a tiger feeding, which is free of charge. It's important to arrive before the feeding starts to catch all the action.

Inside the zoo, there are several shops, although some may be closed. There's an ice cream stand near the sea seal show, which is a nice treat for visitors. It's crucial to arrive before the shows start to avoid missing out on the fun.

The zoo is located on top of a hill and is quite large. It offers a variety of animals, including the Thai Seladang, Hippopotamus, Rhino, White Tiger, White Lion, and Malayan Tapir. There's also a bird enclosure, which is quite popular. One of the highlights of the zoo is the opportunity to get close to some of the animals and even feed them.

For those who prefer not to walk, there's a convenient tram ride available. There's also a waterpark within the zoo, which is a great way for kids to cool off. However, some visitors have noted that the zoo could use more animals and better upkeep. The entrance, show, and tram fees total close to 200b per person.

Visitors are provided with a map to guide them to the animals they prefer. Some enclosures are not well kept, but parking spaces are available nearby. Visitors can park and walk around to visit the animals and feed them. The zoo allows visitors to bring their own food, which is a nice perk. It's also important to note the animals' feeding times and show schedules.

The zoo is 21km from the center of Hatyai and is a great place to visit with kids. Despite appearing a bit run down, the zoo is quite large and more like a park than a traditional zoo. Visitors can drive in and park in front of the cages to visit the animals.

While some visitors have noted a decline in quality over the years, with certain attractions closed without notice, the zoo remains a popular destination for families. It's particularly suitable for families with young children, as it's very large and requires driving from one enclosure to another. The zoo provides transportation for those without their own cars.

The waterpark, however, is somewhat run down and may not be safe for kids to swim in. The kids' swimming area has rust and sharp edges, and the pools have many missing tiles. Despite this, the view from the waterpark is quite beautiful.

Overall, the zoo is well managed, with a good variety of animals and a proper walking path. The tiger feeding is a real action time, and the seal live show is a must-see. There's also a rare white tiger. Most importantly, there's a cafe inside the zoo where visitors can rest and relax while enjoying a great view of the valley.