Lions and tigers and bears: oh my!

01.20.2014

I haven't been to a zoo in years. In fact I only have two memories of ever going to a zoo. Both are extremely fond. My earliest zoo memory involves giraffes and sex. I was witness to a shocking display of one giraffe straight pounding another from behind. Parents watched in horror while desperately running to shield their children's eyes. Even at the tender age of 9, I found it amusing and still to this day have the image burned in my brain. The giraffe had the largest equipment I have ever seen. Evidentially, their necks are not the only thing that is super long and skinny. I will never look at giraffes the same again.

My next visit to a zoo occurred when I was 16. I was in Germany for an exchange program and we went on a field trip to the Berlin zoo. In typical German style, the zoo was filled with beer gardens. Me being a 16 year old American girl unleashed in a country where drinking at 16 is legal, I think you know where I spent my day. I don't even think I saw any animals that day. They did, however, have a huge bouncy trampoline that I thoroughly enjoyed in my drunken bliss.

I decided maybe it was time to visit a zoo again, a visit that doesn't include sex or alcohol. The Korat zoo is located directly outside the city center. It is a huge plot holding many animals, restaurants, and even a full blown water park. We took a songtheow from the mall and paid the 100 baht teacher reduced entrance fee.
Tip of the day: if you find yourself in Thailand and you wish to go to a tourist site there is almost always a tourist and a local price. If you are white you will pay the tourist rate. If you tell them you are "Ben kru", meaning teacher, you will almost always get the local rate. There is an off chance they may ask for your work permit but just say you don't have it with you. It would be rare for a Thai to "loose face" and deny you, but even if it doesn't work at least you tried. No harm done.

The Korat zoo proudly boasts on their website that they have the "Big 5". Incase you are not familiar with African Safari animals the big 5 consists of elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. I once worked for a travel company that sold African tours. I had a caller ask me if the tour included seeing the Big 5....I responded "the sports store?". Ignorance is bliss.

All in all we had an awesome day at the zoo. We got lucky and saw some animals up and moving and not just lazing around. We even saw a seal show. It was good times and I highly recommend the Korat zoo as a great cheap way to spend a few hours.

The zoo is so massive, they offer bike or golf cart rental to get around. We choose golf cart