Khao Kheow Open Zoo Near Pattaya Just Launched a Valentine's Day Festival

Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Pattaya just launched their "LOVE & HENG" festival combining Valentine's Day with Chinese New Year. Started February 14th and runs through the holiday period.

For context — Khao Kheow is about 30 minutes from central Pattaya. It's the open zoo where animals actually roam around larger spaces instead of being stuck in tiny cages. Solid spot if you're staying in the area and want something besides beaches and bars.

What This Actually Means

Expect crowds. Combining two holidays means more Thai families and tourists showing up. If crowds aren't your thing, maybe skip the peak festival days.

The decorations are exactly what you'd expect — Valentine's pink hearts mixed with Chinese New Year red and gold everywhere. Thai zoos love their Instagram-worthy setups during festivals, so there'll be photo spots for couples wanting something different than the usual Pattaya beach sunset pics.

Food vendors will be out in force. Thai festivals always mean more food options, usually themed snacks and drinks. Expect heart-shaped everything mixed with Chinese New Year treats.

Practical Stuff

The zoo normally costs ฿150 ($4.30) for adults, ฿70 ($2) for kids. Haven't seen if they're charging extra for the festival — Thai attractions sometimes add a small premium during special events.

Getting there: About 30-40 minutes from central Pattaya depending on traffic. Grab runs ฿200-300 ($5.70-$8.60) each way. If you're on a motorbike, it's an easy ride on decent roads. They've got parking if you're driving.

Go early — morning is way better. Cooler weather and animals are more active before the heat kicks in. The festival decorations stay all day, but the actual zoo experience is much better early.

Worth It?

Depends what you're after. If you're in Pattaya with kids or want a break from the usual routine, it's legit. The open zoo concept is way better than the cramped traditional zoos elsewhere in Thailand. Animals have space to move around, which makes it less depressing than most zoo experiences.

The "HENG" part refers to good fortune in Chinese — so they're playing up the luck angle for Chinese New Year. But don't expect anything too elaborate. This is a regional zoo festival, not Loy Krathong. It's cute and family-friendly, but not a must-see cultural experience.

Food inside is typical zoo pricing — more expensive than street food but not crazy. Bring water, especially if you're going midday.

Bottom line: If you're already in Pattaya looking for something different, especially with kids or as a couple wanting non-beach activities, it works. The festival theme just adds some photo ops to what's already a decent zoo.

If you're tight on time in Thailand and prioritizing experiences, there are probably better ways to spend a day. But for a relaxed half-day near Pattaya, it's solid.

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Source: Khao Kheow Open Zoo Hosts LOVE And HENG Festival to Celebrate Valentines Day and Chinese New Year