Bueng Chawak

Bueng Chawak Chalermphrakiat is a 2,700-rai freshwater lake straddling Suphan Buri and Chai Nat, developed into a wildlife sanctuary in 1983 and expanded with an aquarium and zoo complex in 1996 to mark King Bhumibol’s 50th year on the throne. The complex on the Suphan Buri shore holds Thailand’s first freshwater fish tunnel, a zoo with a crocodile pond, and a separate marine aquarium building — plus the lake itself, an important central Thai wetland for herons, kingfishers and other waterbirds.

The freshwater building is the headline attraction: an 8.5-metre glass tunnel through a 400-cubic-metre tank, walking underneath the same catfish, carp and other river species you’d otherwise only see from a boat. A second building holds saltwater species down a 75-metre tunnel, its highlight a shark tank with leopard sharks, blacktip reef sharks and sand tiger sharks circling overhead. Between the two aquarium buildings sit the zoo and crocodile pond — modest by the standards of Thailand’s big wildlife parks, more an add-on to the aquarium visit than a destination on its own.

Outside the paid buildings, the lake itself rewards a slower visit. Early morning brings herons wading the shallows and kingfishers working the surface; rental paddleboats let you get out onto the water, and camping is allowed with permission from the site office.

Insider Tip: most visitors do the aquarium buildings and leave — budget an extra hour for a walk or paddleboat around the lake itself, when the crowds thin out and the birdlife is easier to spot.

Watch out: the freshwater and marine buildings charge separately (30 THB and 150 THB respectively for adults), so budget for both if you want the full complex rather than assuming one ticket covers everything.

The complex sits in Doem Bang Nang Buat district of Suphan Buri; the lake itself reaches into neighbouring Chai Nat province, but the visitor entrance and car park are on the Suphan Buri side. It’s a car trip from most Suphan Buri accommodation, with no useful public transport link. Allow two to three hours for both aquarium buildings plus a walk by the water, and bring insect repellent for the lakeside sections. Nearby, Talat Tha Chang and Wat Doem Bang are both in the same district if you want to extend the trip.