Unknown to many there is an animal park/zoo in Hua Hin, you can get there by taking Soi Huay Sai which is about a kilometer after the Palm Hills turn off heading north on Petchkasem Road. Around 4 km down this soi on the left is the entrance to what is sign posted as a “deer research center”. It seems to be government funded and has never been promoted since all signs are in Thai. Entrance is free which is a pleasure to see as one quickly gets used to these racist two tier prices for tourist attractions in Thailand.

There are a number of large deer pens and plenty of pheasants and wildfowl roaming around the large complex. Monkeys are also popular here with a whole range of species from gibbons to macaques, some are caged and some free swinging. The only slightly worrisome sight was the inadequate cages for the Malayan Sun Bears and Asiatic Black Bear that looked thoroughly depressed. Other park residents included exotic birds, tortoises, porcupines and more gibbons.

There is a canal system running around a number of “islands” where the gibbons live and seem to enjoy watching and mocking the humans tossing the occasional banana at them. It provides a great little picnic spot for an afternoon out but be sure to bring your supplies as there is nothing in the way of shops there.

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