Turn back the clock 30 years. In the spot that will become Safari World, you’ll find an empty plot of land on the outskirts of a very different Bangkok. Thanks to an inspired vision of what could be, this unlikely location would be home to a series of firsts for Thailand. First open zoo. First African-style safari. First panda. First manatee.

Hardships and setbacks were never in short supply. But year after year, a passionate team of nature-lovers and showmen kept pushing forward with new ideas. New attractions. New ways to inspire. What may have seemed like a wild proposition has become a great success, and for three decades Safari World has pioneered exciting new ways to wow local fans and impress guests from overseas.

Today, Dr. Pin Kewkacha’s dream is a passion for his entire family, a right of passage shared by generations, and a cultural point of pride for the entire country. Now only one question remains : What’s coming in the next 30 years?

History

Timeline

1985 : 2528

Established Safari World Company Limited.

1988 : 2531

Safari World welcomed its first visitors on the 17th of February, 1988. Divided into two parks, the open zoo occupied around 470 acres while the original bird park sat on 180 acres.
Launched the Bird Show - the first show in Safari World.
The dolphin feeding activity opened to visitors.

1989 : 2532

Closed for major renovation and rezoning, with the ambition of building the first world - class animal theme park in Thailand

1990 : 2533

Safari World reopened - the open zoo area would be called Safari Park whilst a new, redesigned walking zone was named Marine Park, housing aquatic animals as well as birds, wildlife, animal activities and shows.
Launched Elephant Show

1991 : 2534

Launched Western Cowboy Stunt Show.
Launched Safari World’s first Killer Whale Show

1992 : 2535

The first-ever pandas in Thailand arrived at Safari World, strengthening the ties between China and Thailand.
Launched the first Dolphin and False Killer Whale Show in Thailand.

1993-1997 : 2536-2540

Launched the acrobatic Water Ski Show - the first of its kind in Thailand.
Launched High Diving Show by Olympic divers from the U.S.A. at the Dolphin Stadium. This was another first in Thailand.

1994 : 2537

Registered as a public company and listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Till today, Safari World PLC remains the only theme park company to be listed on the Thai bourse.
Launched the Spy War Show - the name was the result of a national naming contest, with prize money of 2 million Baht.
Launched the Californian Sea Lion Show for the first time in Thailand.
Began coach rental services - starting with just 10 coaches, today Safari World offers one of the nation’s largest fleets of over 70 coaches, both single and double-deckers.

1996 : 2539

Expanded business to Phuket with Phuket FantaSea - Thailand’s first night-time cultural theme park on Kamala Beach with over 3.5 billion Baht of investment
Launched Orangutan Show—a show where the animals simulated Muay Thai boxing in the only exhibition of its kind

1997 : 2540

Launched River Safari cruise - the first ride attraction in Marine Park

1998 : 2541

Introduced the Amazing Safari Wagon - allowing visitors to feed animals up-close inside Safari Park.
Launched the Zulu Show by real tribal dancers from Papua New Guinea.

2000 : 2543

Welcomed two touring shows from different continents - the White Tiger Circus from the USA and the famous Moscow Circus from Russia.

2002 : 2545

Launched the one and only Hippopotamus Show in the world at Safari Park.
Launched the Beluga Whale Show—the first ever belugas in Thailand.

2003 : 2546

Successfully bred the first ever bottlenose dolphin in Thailand.

2007 : 2550

Opened the Safari Terrace - with over 250 giraffes, this was the first and largest giraffe - feeding terrace of its kind in the world.
Opened Thailand’s first egg incubation educational centre - Eggs World.
Polar bear cub born at Safari World - a landmark breakthrough, making Safari World only the second animal centre in the world to successfully breed polar bears.

2009 : 2552

Launched Mini World - where visitors could hand-feed hundreds of beautiful sun conure parrots.

2010 : 2553

Launched White World - a new zone featuring rare white tigers, white lions and polar bears. Nyala Farm opened in the same year.

2011 : 2554

Temporarily shut for 28 days - damaged by the largest ever flood in Bangkok.

2014 : 2557

Phuket FantaSea expanded its business in Phuket, Thailand. Carnival Magic was opened.

2017 : 2560

Welcomed the first five manatees to Thailand - rare and precious creatures from The Democratic Republic of Congo.

2020 : 2563

Carnival Magic—the group’s third theme park to be opened on Kamala Beach, right next to Phuket FantaSea. With over 5 billion Baht of investment, this will be the largest ever investment in a theme park in Thailand. Opening in Q1 2020.