Si Sa Ket Aquarium (Aquatic Animal Species Exhibition Centre)

The Si Sa Ket Aquarium (Aquatic Animal Species Exhibition Centre) holds around 4,000 fish across 101 species inside the 80th Anniversary Celebration Park in Nong Khrok subdistrict — the first aquarium built in Thailand’s lower northeast. A 24-metre glass tunnel cuts through the main fish pond, letting visitors walk beneath the tanks rather than just look through the glass. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-16:00, entry 30 THB for adults and 20 THB for children.

Experience

Three zones make up the main hall: 22 marine species, 79 freshwater species, and an ornamental section stocked with koi and other decorative varieties. The glass tunnel is the centrepiece — schools of catfish and tilapia circle overhead as you walk through, and it’s the part of the visit most families photograph. A newer dinosaur park zone sits alongside the tanks, aimed at younger children rather than serious aquarium enthusiasts; treat it as a bonus rather than the main event. The facility is compact — 45 minutes to an hour covers everything at a relaxed pace, longer with kids who want to linger at each tank.

Atmosphere & Timing

This is a municipal facility built for Si Sa Ket families and school groups, not an international-standard aquarium, and it’s priced and scaled accordingly. Weekday mornings are quietest; weekend afternoons bring school trips and local families, especially through the cooler November-February months. The park around the aquarium has shaded walking paths and a lake, worth combining with the visit if the weather allows.

Insider Tip: Entry is free for visitors over 60, children under 100cm tall, monks, and people with disabilities — worth checking at the ticket counter if travelling with elderly relatives or young children, since it isn’t always advertised on-site.

Watch out: The aquarium closes on Mondays, unlike most of Si Sa Ket’s other municipal sites. Check the day before making the trip out to Nong Khrok.

Practical

The park sits on the Ko Huai Nam Kham bypass road in Nong Khrok subdistrict, a short drive from central Si Sa Ket. There’s no public transport directly to the gate — a motorbike taxi or car is the practical option, and parking is free within the park grounds. It’s an easy pairing with the City Pillar Shrine or Somdet Phra Srinakarindra Park, both a short drive away in Mueang Si Sa Ket district. For group visits or updated hours, call the Si Sa Ket Municipality Office on 0 4561 2686.