(Children's) attractions in Thailand
With temple visits, your children are probably not having much fun and from the swimming pool or the beach once they get enough.
Happy knows Thailand also many attractions, which are not only interesting for adults, but where children in particular can also experience a beautiful day. I give a number of examples, which – depending on where you stay – can usually be visited on a day trip:
My favorite is the Sriracha Tiger Zoo, here in Chonburi province not too far from Pattaya. I have been there a number of times and it is always impressive to see the hundreds of tigers, crocodiles, elephants and other animals up close. There are many daily shows with these animals and children can give milk to the tiger cubs and have their picture taken with them. Very worthwhile!
In the province of Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), along the main road from Bangkok, the Chokchai Farm established. A dairy farm, around which an entire park has been built with many attractions for children. First a tour of the cows to see how they are milked and then to the dairy where you can follow the entire processing process. There is a small zoo where children can feed the animals and a recreated Wild West town where children can ride a pony. Siam Park City in North East Bangkok
In Pattaya we have Pattaya Park, a nice large swimming pool with slides for the older children. Outside the park a number of fairground attractions such as merry-go-rounds and a roller coaster. You can take a cable lift to the top floor of the television tower and for the daredevils there is a cable that takes you down at lightning speed.
There is also such a swimming pool in Bangkok Siam City Park or Suan Siam as the Thais call it. A lot bigger than the one in Pattaya and there is so much to do that a day trip is hardly enough. Of course there is a large swimming pool or rather a number of swimming pools with different depths, there is even a wave pool. Inevitable then is a small zoo where children can take a ride.
A funny, but also adventurous day trip from Bangkok is to Samut Songhkram, to the Swimming Monkeys (Swimming Monkeys). You rent a boat and you sail through the mangrove forest, where countless monkeys live. When you pass by the monkeys swim to the boat and expect to get something to eat, with bananas being the preferred choice of course. The monkeys are not really aggressive, but they can romp among themselves to steal the bananas from each other.
In Pathum Thani province we find Dream world, a theme park where children of all ages can take a ride on an animal. There is a Snow Town (snow town), where the youth can play with (artificial) snow. It is cold with -3° Celsius, very unusual for Thailand. Then there is a Ghost House and a Fun House, while one can also attend an animal show and a stunt show.
In a northern district of Bangkok is located the most popular theme park, called Safari World and Marine Park. Ideal for family visits, but many school trips also have this park as a destination. The first part is the safari park where the animals, which roam freely, can be viewed up close. There is a lion section, where you drive through with the windows closed, of course. If you don't come by car, bus trips are available. There are also a number of animal shows, including dolphins, birds and elephants.
Van de Sampran Elephant Ground Nakhon Pathom Province is said to have the largest elephant show in Thailand. The Thais have a special bond with elephants and here is shown how they worked together in forestry and the role the elephants played in the wars with Burma. The war scenes are impressive, although a bit too noisy for children. More fun for them is the football match between elephants. Of course, rides on elephants can be made and the animals can be fed.
Pattaya ParkAlso not too far from Bangkok and Pattaya is the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, a bit remote, but the advantage is that this open zoo is fairly extensive and you have plenty of time to view the animals. There are several parking facilities in the park, so that you can occasionally leave the car to get a better impression of the animals. If you are not traveling by car, golf carts are available. There is also a special children's zoo, where the children can cuddle and play with animals. The day here will soon be over and many will come back again.
Of course, a visit to a crocodile farm should not be missed and perhaps the largest in Thailand can be found south of Bangkok, the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo. Crocodile shows can be seen in many places in Thailand, but the shows here are superior. There are more than 1000 crocodiles of all sizes in the different pools and you can buy a basket of chickens to feed the animals.
This was just a selection of the many (animal) parks in Thailand, but there are many more, although often smaller in scope. Visit one or two and enjoy everything else that Thailand has to offer.