Giant Crocodiles Outside Bangkok: The Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm

Grab your love’s hand as you walk over a pit of giant crocodiles. Watch your children squeal with delight as hungry jaws snap up chicken chunks and watch in awe as a man inserts his head into a crocodile’s mouth. The Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo, located just outside Bangkok, is well worth a tourist’s time. Quite possibly the largest crocodile farm in the world this wonder holds over 60,000 crocodiles.

What to Expect at the Crocodile Farm

Tickets are 300 baht for foreigners and well worth the price. In 1989 Samutprakarn made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest captive croc at 19 feet and 8 inches. The farm still displays an array of such behemoths today, housed in a deep open aired pit that visitors can walk over via bridges. The farm also houses unusual crocodile mutants including albino crocodiles and crocs born with extra legs. Although the crocodiles are the highlight of the day, visitors can also see tigers, elephants, camels and more at the attached zoo

Catch a Show and Visit the Gift Shop

The one-of-a-kind crocodile show is held every hour. Spectators watch in fear and awe as the human performers taunt fate by inserting their arms and then heads into the gaping jaws of their crocodiles. Also be sure to catch the elephant show to see elephants dance, skateboard, and perform a variety of other tricks. At the end of the day peruse the gift shop – even if you don’t purchase anything the shelves are worth a look. From crocodile wallets to canned crocodile meat this gift shop is unlike any other.

How to Get There

Many tour companies offer a package to the Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm however the crocs are so easy to get to on your own it’s best not to waste money on a fancy tour. The Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm is about 18 miles from downtown Bangkok and easily accessible by cab. The price of a taxi ride will vary depending on traffic but should cost only a few hundred baht. If you can’t speak Thai, it may help to have a friend write down your destination in Thai for you.