Dusit Zoo, Bangkok

Описание: Next to the majestic Dusit Palace in the Dusit district of Bangkok is the oldest zoo in Thailand, Dusit Zoo (สวนสัตว์ดุสิต), which numbers more than one-and-a-half thousand animals drawn from around the world in a well thought out and harmonious setting that makes this zoo and enjoyable visit. I arrive late in the afternoon on a weekday, its very quiet and the zoo is starting to wind down for the evening, but there is still time for a pleasant couple of hours trawling round the zoo which is taken in via a long, circular road that follows the perimeter of the tranquil lake that the zoos life revolves around.

The zoos history in fact goes back the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), a well-travelled and famous monarch who brought many foreign influences and ideas back to Bangkok with him. He was inspired by botanical gardens he saw on overseas trips and was moved to create one within the Suan Dusit garden by filling in the middle of the lake and constructing a man-made hill; giving it the name Kao Din Wa Na. He also brought back a herd of chital deer from a visit to the Java Islands and bred them in the gardens of the Ambra Villa, in the Dusit Palace grounds; these would later be transferred to the Dusit Zoo.

Fast forward to 1938. With Thailand now a constitutional monarchy, the government of the day, headed by the Prime Minister Field Marshal Piboolsongkram requested the land around Suan Dusit to use for a public zoo and recreational area. Prince Arthit Thip-apha, who was a Regent from 1936-42, approved the request on behalf of King Rama VIII, and he also donated the chital deer at Ambra Villa as well as the royal elephants on Sundays. Today the zoo is still indelibly linked with the royalty: as the light fades, from many parts of the zoo the stunning Palace next door, illuminated by hundreds of powerful spotlights, grabs attention in no uncertain terms.

The municipality of Bangkok opened the zoo and operated it until 1954 at which point it was transferred to the state Zoological Park Organization, which also runs Thailands other zoos: Khao Khiao Open Zoo, Chiang Mai Zoo, Songkhla Zoo, and Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo. Dusit Zoo, also known as Khao Din, has more than 1,600 animals drawn from Thailand and around the world and the official website says it attracts more than 2.5 million visitors a year, making it the most popular zoo in Thailand as well as one of the citys biggest attractions.

Entering Dusit zoo the first impression is that great effort has been made to create an enjoyable visitor experience, the majestic entrances to the zoo have been lavishly styled the arched gateways wreathed in a finish that recreates the areas that its animals live in accompanied by large statues of beasts that mean the zoo is a strong visual draw to the passer by. Outside the main entrance the high and smooth concrete-finished walls are littered with large murals of some of the animals that reside within its boundaries. And much more than just the animals the rolling park is packed with lush, and beautiful vegetation, integrating the animal enclosures into a landscape that tries pretty successfully to thrust you into the wild surroundings that the animals would reside in if in their natural habitats. The zoos focal point is the island and botanical gardens, still immaculate and perfectly maintained, the waters of the large lake lap gently and bright-red pedaloes, not in use at this later hour, bob quietly, tied to jetties in long rows, while fanning out around the lake in a 360-degree effect are all the animal enclosures. As I mention, much effort has been made to integrate the animals into enclosures that recreate their natural habitats and each enclosure seamlessly blends into the next. Many of the sections, most in fact, are announced by large statues of the animals in question which capably prepare you. The effort to integrate the whole zoo into a flowing experience for the visitor is a Thai trait and its been done to great effect here. And of course with any landmark attraction in Bangkok, its immaculate and harmoniously laid out. It also goes without saying that when the sun finally fades away, lights strewn across trees around the entrances spring into life.