Zoos & aquariums
Pata Zoo
Pata Zoo is a private zoo on the 6th and 7th floors of Pata Pinklao Department Store, Bang Yi Khan Subdistrict, Bang Phlat District, Bangkok between Borommaratchachonnani and Arun Amarin Intersections close to Phra Pinklao Bridge. Pata Zoo has operated since 1983, along with the department store. Pata Zoo has been the subject of ongoing attention from Thai animal welfare organizations, who have raised concerns about the conditions of certain enclosures, particularly those housing primates such as the gorilla Bua Noi.
Pata Zoo
Pata Zoo is a small, privately run zoo occupying the top two floors of the Pata Pinklao Department Store in Bangkok's Bang Phlat district. What draws visitors is the unusual setting itself — cages and enclosures built into a shopping mall rooftop and upper floors, housing a mix of mammals, birds and reptiles, including the gorilla Bua Noi. It's worth knowing before you go that the zoo has long drawn criticism from Thai animal welfare groups over enclosure conditions, particularly for its primates, so this is not a typical open-air wildlife park and visitors with concerns about captive animal welfare may want to research this in advance.
Getting there
The zoo sits on the Thonburi side of the river, between the Borommaratchachonnani and Arun Amarin intersections, close to Phra Pinklao Bridge. From central Bangkok, a taxi or ride-hailing app is the most straightforward option, typically taking 20–40 minutes depending on traffic and starting point. There is no BTS or MRT station within easy walking distance, so public transit usually means combining a river crossing or bus with a short taxi ride.
How much time to allow
Because the zoo is compact and spread over just two floors, most visitors can see everything in one to two hours.
When to go
As an indoor/rooftop attraction, it's a reasonable option during Bangkok's hottest hours or on rainy days, though parts of the rooftop area are exposed to the weather. Weekends tend to bring more local families and can feel more crowded than weekdays.
Combine it with
Since Pata Zoo is on the Thonburi side of the river, it pairs naturally with sights near Phra Pinklao Bridge (1.3km) just across the water. From there it's a short onward trip to the National Art Gallery (1.7km), Bangkok National Museum (1.7km) and Chakraphong Mosque (1.7km), all clustered together and worth combining into a single half-day loop.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
