Thailand is home to an enormous number of magnificent destinations that one would want to visit time and again. Among these is Nong Nooch Tropical Park, located near Thailand’s resort capital, Pattaya.
History
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, as of 2025, is one of Pattaya’s most popular tourist attractions with significant historical value. In other words, we wouldn’t rank Nong Nooch Park alongside unlike more conventional excursions such as island tours or visits to the River Kwai.
The park’s history began more than 60 years ago, even though it was officially opened to the public in 1980. The garden’s founder is considered to be Mrs. Nong Nooch, who, together with her husband, purchased a vast 240-hectare plot of land in 1954 and decided to establish a fruit orchard there.
Fortunately, as is often the case, fate intervened. Almost immediately after purchasing the land, Madame Nong Nooch embarked on a journey during which she visited several European countries. She was most captivated by the Versailles Gardens, and Lady Nong Nooch became inspired to create something similar in her own country. And with her family’s ample wealth, the idea was gradually brought to life.
English Alley
Madame Nong Nooch’s biography is fascinating and deserves a separate article; as of now, she is no longer alive, and the park is managed by her son.
Interesting Places in the Park
The description of Nong Nooch Park in Pattaya should begin with its sheer size. Remarkably, when viewed from a bird’s-eye perspective, the park appears so vast that a small town or large village could easily fit within its grounds. So, what exactly is this renowned garden?
The centerpiece of the park is a replica of the Versailles Garden, crafted to be an exact copy of the original (indeed, it was this very place that inspired the owner to create the park).
In addition to the Versailles replica, Nong Nooch Garden also features:
- a small zoo;
- a butterfly park;
- a cactus garden;
- an extensive collection of palms (Blue Garden);
- a pond;
- an automobile collection;
- a dinosaur valley;
- an orchid garden;
- a pot garden.
In addition, an elephant show is held daily at Nong Nooch that is a must-see for everyone.
Not long ago, the park’s collection was enhanced by a replica of the famous English Stonehenge, and on one of the stones there is an inscription stating that all the land is bequeathed to the next generation. What Madame Nong Nooch intended by this is hard to say, leaving us only to speculate about the inscription.
Zoological Park
The mini-zoo at Nong Nooch Garden is small, but that does not make it any less appealing. It is a must-visit spot for tourists traveling with children. In fact, some of the animals can be touched and even fed (snacks are available on-site for 20 baht).
The zoo features:
- donkey;
- monkeys;
- piglets;
- goats;
- deer;
- camels;
- tigers;
- turtles;
- snakes.
Additionally, there is an aquarium with fish, ensuring that children will not be bored. Herbivorous animals can be petted, and as for tigers, their feeding can be recorded on video at specific times.
Butterfly Park
There is also a dedicated butterfly park. It is an enclosure with fine mesh where several hundred beautiful creatures flutter about. If you stand perfectly still, they might even begin to land on you, resulting in stunning photographs. However, be sure to turn off your flash before taking pictures, as these delicate and skittish insects could be harmed.
Cactus Garden
Nong Nooch Garden is not only home to tropical plants but also boasts a vast variety of flora from other climatic zones. For instance, a cactus garden has emerged from a parched desert. The size and shape of the plants are striking, featuring both classic upright cacti and unusual, spherical, and whimsical forms.
Some cacti bloom while others do not. Take a few minutes to appreciate these spiky beauties with your presence.
Palm Collection
The garden features an overwhelming number of palms, occupying one of the largest sections. There are a total of 1,100 species of palms (just think about that number), out of the 2,800 known species on Earth. Madame Nong Nooch’s palm collection is the largest in the world, which fascinates travelers.
By the way, a significant portion of the Nong Nooch family’s income comes from palm sales.
On the Palm Plantation
In addition to palms, the Blue Garden features several species of ferns, filling the air with a divine fragrance.
Pond
In the evening, as the heat subsides, you can sit by the freshwater pond and feed the fish. However, if you envisioned casually tossing bread into the water while sitting by the pond, you will be disappointed – the feeding process is much more elaborate.
The pond is home to predatory tropical fish, known as arapaimas, that delight in feasting on smaller fish. For a symbolic fee, you are provided with an improvised fishing rod with a fish attached to its end. When the rod is lowered into the pond, one of the arapaimas gulps down the offered treat.
This feeding session is particularly popular among the males.
Be sure to record a video and take photos for your family collection; it’s well worth it, believe me.
Garage
If the guided tour becomes tiresome and you start to feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information, you can visit the park owner’s private car collection. This enclosed garage displays all the vehicles currently in use. Don’t be surprised—this is indeed a very affluent family, and there’s plenty to see. Contrary to the notion that the garage might only interest men, many women admire this collection.
French Garden
A standout feature during a stroll through the park is the French Garden. Many reviews award this garden top honors for its beauty; some even call it the French Botanical Garden.
In execution, it is a classic European park infused with Thai accents.
In fact, everything is executed with such precision and meticulous care that one might sometimes wonder if it’s not an elaborate façade. And yet, knowing that every plant in the garden is alive is truly breathtaking.
Dinosaur Valley
If you visit the park with children, don’t miss Dinosaur Valley – a massive rock adorned with life-size ancient animal replicas. The dinosaurs are crafted at full scale, and best of all, you can approach and even touch them. The excitement is palpable, and these giants can be enjoyed every day of the year. The photos you take here are simply a feast for the eyes.
Orchid Garden
Another passion of Madame Nong Nooch was orchids, so it is no surprise that the park features an orchid garden showcasing these magnificent plants.
By the way, an orchid is not a beautiful flower but a weed, with all the consequences that entails. Surprised? We were shocked too.
Only those plants that are currently in bloom are exhibited for public viewing; all others are kept in greenhouses and are not shown to visitors.
Pot Garden
What do you think a clay pot is for? To grow flowers or other plants? Not quite. Pots are transformed into whimsical figures – many of them life-size. Here is a short list of the figurines crafted from clay pots and displayed in the garden:
- tuk-tuk;
- an elephant figure;
- a gazebo;
- heart-shaped arches at life-size.
Elephant Show
During the high tourist season, the elephant show is extremely popular and can only be viewed at specific times, as it follows a strict schedule.
Showtimes:
- 9:45–10:45.
- 15:00–16:00.
During the performance, you’ll witness elephant football, trunk painting, acrobatic stunts, and much more. At the finale, you’ll have the opportunity to feed the animals and even ride on their mighty backs (this experience costs 400 baht). Bananas for feeding can be purchased on-site or brought along—the trainer won’t object.
National Show
Another great reason to visit Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is the Thai National Show, which is held twice a day. A lot of time and effort went into creating this show, and it is truly worthwhile. Many tourists are so eager to attend that they are willing to push past others (ignore such pushy individuals).
Showtimes:
- 10:45–11:45.
- 16:00–17:00.
Where to Eat
Nong Nooch Tropical Park in Pattaya is a standard park when it comes to dining options, with plenty of food establishments on site. It would be rather odd if such a vast area had not a single café.
But don’t worry – there are ample dining choices available so you won’t feel cramped. In addition to cafés, there are stands offering ice cream and refreshing beverages along the perimeter, ensuring you can easily cool off.
Here are some dining options:
- International buffet – 550 baht per visit.
- Thai buffet and Indian buffet – 300 baht per visit.
- Thai food court – prices for a single dish start at 50 baht.
For those wishing to stay longer, there is an on-site hotel where you can extend your stay and immerse yourself in all this beauty – Nong Nooch Garden and Resort.
Accommodation is offered in special villas, and the resort complex includes a swimming pool, spa, fitness center, restaurants, and cafés.
A major advantage of this hotel is the ability to remain on the park premises after closing hours, so you can enjoy watching the park come to life in the evening without the crowds.
Prices and Operating Hours
Nong Nooch Pattaya has an official website available in three languages that mainly provides information about the park.
For foreign visitors, the official admission fee—including the cultural and elephant shows—is 800 baht. Thai citizens (or those with a Thai driver’s license) can enter for as little as 150 baht. Additionally, some sources indicate that if the shows are not included, an extra fee of around 400 baht may apply. In practice, many street-side tour agencies offer discounted package deals, with combined tickets (admission, shows, and sometimes transport) averaging between 500 and 600 baht per adult.
Our advice is to purchase a tour from any street-side travel agency. Prices vary, but on average, a ticket to the park including the show costs around 500–600 baht. How much would you have to pay for the entrance if you went on your own? And have you factored in the transportation costs? This is one of the few cases where a guided tour is more cost-effective than traveling independently.
Also, since the park operates from 9:00 to 18:00, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to visit after closing hours on your own, and many tour agencies offer an evening dinner at Nong Nooch – which is definitely worth trying.
How to Get There
There are several ways to reach the park, including:
- guided tour;
- taxi;
- songthaew;
- tuk-tuk (a motorized three-wheeler commonly used in Thailand);
- rented transport.
Public transportation does not serve the park directly (a songthaew is more of a private shared taxi than true public transit), so taking a bus is not an option (unless you board a bus toward Rayong and then navigate by map, which is quite an exotic journey).
The park’s address can be viewed on the map below.
From Pattaya
No matter which area of Pattaya you are staying in (Jomtien or central Pattaya), the key is to remember that Nong Nooch is located on Sukhumvit Road, approximately three kilometers away.
First, you need to figure out how to reach this renowned turn – there are several options. With a guided tour, it’s straightforward: you’re picked up from your hotel and dropped off at the same location. But if you prefer to go on your own, it requires a bit more insight.
The first and simplest option is a taxi. The fare is approximately 300 baht, and you’ll be dropped off right at the main entrance. Here’s a tip: all taxi drivers receive a bonus from the park administration for bringing guests directly to the gate, so negotiate the fare to secure a decent discount. Even if you lower the fare, the bonus from the park more than compensates for it.
Secondly, it is best to arrange a return trip with the vehicle owner (either he waits for you at the entrance or returns at a predetermined time). Why is this necessary? Because there is an army of taxi drivers at the gate who are less willing to negotiate, driving the price quite high. Unfortunately, they are reluctant to lower the fare, and you have no alternatives.
If the taxi option doesn’t suit you, tuk-tuks operate along Sukhumvit Road at a slightly lower cost than taxis. However, they only drop you off at the turn for Nong Nooch, after which you’ll need to walk three kilometers or hire a bicycle or motorized rickshaw that waits at the turn. This additional ride costs around 40–50 baht.
In reality, walking three kilometers in the heat is quite exhausting and hardly enjoyable.
By the way, it’s easier to catch a motorized rickshaw in the morning or evening, as they are not always on duty during the day.
Additionally, within the park you can get around not only on foot but also using small golf carts, elephants, or bicycles. Naturally, you must obtain permission at the entrance (and pay a rental fee).
From Bangkok
Thailand is a large country, and Nong Nooch is sought after not only by tourists staying in Pattaya but also by those from other resort areas, such as Bangkok. The distance from Bangkok to Nong Nooch is approximately 140 km, and the only direct way to get there is by car (taxi, rental vehicle, or motorcycle).
An approximate driving route is shown on the map below.
If you are unable to rent a vehicle, you will first need to travel to Pattaya by bus or taxi.
You can read about how to get from Bangkok to Pattaya in our article – “How to Get from Bangkok to Pattaya”.
Then, simply follow the tips mentioned above.
In summary, Nong Nooch Tropical Park is an interesting and must-see destination that every traveler visiting Thailand should experience.
Don’t forget to share your travel experiences in the comments – they are invaluable for those who have not yet decided on their vacation destination.
