Dusit Zoo closing Aug. 31

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

 

 

The next two weeks will be the last for Dusit Zoo, the country's first, and still most popular, zoo.
 

On Aug 31, the 80-year-old national institution will shut its gates for good. Its 1,000-plus animals will be relocated temporarily to six public zoos for three years until the construction of a new zoo at Klong 6 in Pathum Thani province is complete.

 

Yet, when Bangkok Post visited recently, there was hardly a sense of impending doom about the place. The animals remained proudly displayed in their areas while all facilities were open as usual. There wasn't even a sign notifying visitors of the zoo's forthcoming closure.

 

Director of Dusit Zoo Pitak Unson said there will be neither a special event nor a farewell party on its final day.

 

"For the last day, things will be done as they usually are, nothing special," Mr Pitak said.

 

Dusit Zoo, popularly known as Khao Din Wana, was built by King Rama V and was the first zoo to be built in Thailand.

 

King Rama VIII opened the facility to the public in 1938 and, as of last year, it was drawing over two million visitors a year, generating 150 million baht in revenue.

 

The new site is expected to open in three years time and is located on over 300 rai land in Klong 6 in Pathum Thani's Thanya Buri district. The land plot was donated by the present monarch, King Rama X.
 

Continues with pics
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1524942/dusit-zoo-begins-its-long-goodbye

[reader]

From The Nation

 

As a gift to supporters of the Dusit Zoo the organisation behind the much-loved animal enclosure will delay its permanent shuttering in central Bangkok until September 30, the operation announced on Friday. The zoo was originally scheduled to close on August 31.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30352887

 

[baobao]

Hopefully they'll do justice at the new location. I have fond memories of two visits to the Dusit over the years - one into the night for Loy Krathong. Evidently there will be one less beautiful spot to observe it this year if they close on the 30th of September.