CHONBURI, THAILAND – Khao Kheow Open Zoo closed out the year with a program that combined camping, stargazing and nighttime wildlife viewing for visitors seeking a quiet New Year.
Camping by the lake in cool winter air
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi said special activities were organized at the end of the year, allowing guests to pitch tents by the lake and watch the night sky in cool winter air amid mountains and largely untouched nature. Overnight stays directly on the shore focused on viewing the stars above the grounds. According to the zoo, the activities ran through 31 December and were aimed at visitors who wanted to spend the turn of the year in peaceful surroundings.
Night Zoo highlights nocturnal animal behavior
A central element of the program was the popular Night Zoo, which offered insight into the behavior of nocturnal animals. At night, visitors could watch herds of axis deer, muntjacs and serows feeding naturally. The tour deliberately contrasted with the typical daytime image of the enclosures.
“Visitors now see animals that mostly rest during the day in action.”
said Narongwit Chodchoi, zoo director.
Among the species on show were the well-known two-fingered sloth male “Flash”, hippos, seated resting giraffes, zebras, white rhinos, Bengal tigers, gaur and slender lorises.
Quiet New Year’s Eve countdown by the water
On the evening of 31 December, a special countdown event took place on the zoo grounds. Visitors marked the New Year outdoors in cool temperatures, with a view of the starry sky over the lake. Management emphasized the combination of a nature experience and festive atmosphere at the facility, which is one of the country’s largest open zoos and is known for its night safaris focusing on animal behavior after dark.
Animal “stars” greeted guests on New Year’s Day
The celebrations continued on 1 January 2026, with encounters with well-known individual animals throughout the day. These included the pygmy hippo “Moo Deng”, regarded in the country as an animal celebrity. Visitors could also see red pandas, swimming elephants and other familiar zoo animals up close, with the aim of offering families and animal enthusiasts a New Year’s start marked by intensive wildlife encounters.
Information and reservations for special programs
For camping and participation in the special activities, the zoo provided its own information channels. Interested visitors could obtain details and offers via the Facebook page “Khao Kheow Open Zoo Promotions” or request reservations and information by telephone at 038-318444. With its year-end programs, Khao Kheow Open Zoo underscored its aim to provide immersive wildlife experiences and bring visitors closer to nature outside regular opening hours.