Somdet Phra Srinakarindra Park

Somdet Phra Srinakarindra Park in Si Sa Ket was the first public park in Thailand built under the nationwide “Somdet” scheme honouring Princess Mother Srinagarindra’s 80th birthday. It covers 237 rai (about 38 hectares) of former forest in Nong Khrok subdistrict, right beside the Sisaket College of Agriculture and Technology, which co-manages a zoo section within the grounds. Entry is free, daily from 06:00 to 18:00.

Two natural streams, Huai Poon Yai and Huai Poon Noi, run through the park and converge near its northern edge, which is part of why the grounds still feel like remnant forest rather than a manicured municipal garden — mature trees shade most of the walking paths, and the layout keeps a looping perimeter road popular with joggers and cyclists in the cooler hours. The agricultural college’s zoo section houses a mix of native and imported species: porcupines, deer, several types of pheasant, ostriches, crocodiles, snakes, vultures, turtles, and — the animal most visitors ask about first — a hippopotamus. This isn’t a wildlife rescue or rehabilitation centre; it functions as a teaching collection for the college’s agriculture and animal-husbandry students as much as a public attraction.

Watch out: Enclosure information signage is aimed at Thai school groups and mostly in Thai only, so don’t expect English interpretation panels explaining the conservation angle — this is a local recreation ground and college teaching facility first, tourist attraction second.

Weekends bring the most local family traffic, with people spreading out picnic mats under the shade trees and kids running between the enclosures. On weekdays it’s markedly quieter, closer to a nature walk than an outing, which suits visitors who’d rather stroll the stream-side paths than fight crowds at the animal pens.

Insider Tip: Early morning (around opening, 06:00-08:00) is when the ostriches and deer are most active and the heat hasn’t built up yet — arrive later and much of the wildlife retreats to shade for the rest of the day.

The park sits on the edge of Si Sa Ket town itself, in Nong Khrok subdistrict, making it a straightforward stop by car, motorbike, or taxi rather than a day trip. Bring water and comfortable shoes; there’s little shelter from sun once you’re away from the tree line, and food options inside the park are limited, so eat beforehand or bring a picnic. It pairs easily with a stop at Si Sa Ket’s city pillar shrine or the province’s Khmer ruin sites if you’re spending a full day around town.