Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Gardens, Near Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand.
On the 22nd of February 2011 I set off from Pattaya to visit Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Gardens on the Sukhumvit road near marker 163. This venue visited by so many to Pattaya and the surrounding areas has become the Mecca for people who love tropical plants and beautiful gardens. The idea was the brainchild of Mr Pisit and Mrs Nongnooch Tansacha who in 1954 purchased 600 acres of land that included rolling hills and valleys near Pattaya.
The advertising features for these gardens says its in Jomtien, Chonburi. However according to the map the area is in Sattahip. You will find in Thailand many addresses are made up near where they appear to look better and people can find them better, due to well known localities. However, if you mention to any taxi driver Nong Nooch gardens, even if you said in Rayong he would take you to the gardens. Such is the universal popularity of these beautiful gardens.
The original idea for buying the land was to create a fruit plantation. However due to the many trips overseas Mrs. Nongnooch was inspired by the many world renowned gardens and thought it a better idea to turn it into a tropical garden packed full of ornamental flowers and plants. From the very small beginnings the garden was opened in 1980 and was then named Suan Nong Nooch because the word Suan means garden and the other being the name of the founder.
The fame of the gardens spread and then Mrs Nongnooch son Mr Kampon Tansacha, took over the running of this fast becoming world renowned garden in its own right. Now more than 2000 visitors, VIP guests, schools and local Thai people, along with expats and visitors from all over the world visit every day. Nong Nooch gardens has become famous the world over for its Elephant and Thai cultural shows along with what is thought to be the biggest and the most wonderful tropical and botanical gardens in south east Asia.
The gardens are constantly evolving and progressing and provides new interest for loyal and returning visitors. Nong Nooch is also dedicated to education, preservation and research. It now has the largest collection of palms and the largest collection of Orchids in Thailand perhaps in the world, along with many other tropical flora and fauna that are now grown and cultivated here. Gardens have been set out as French garden, European garden, Stonehenge garden ( with its miniature stones ) Cactus and Succulent garden, Variegated plants, Orchid and Bromeliad display garden and flower valley garden.
There are other interesting sets of gardens within this Nong Nooch, such as a rock garden, or the Blue garden, where you can see large rocks on display. Butterfly hill is yet another where more interesting displays have been added. The Ant garden is also one display where large models of colourful ants are displayed in a garden setting. An antique hall is here packed with jewellery and Buddhas and other items of historical value. The Thai Cultural Hall, is a building that puts on Thai performances of the dances that are unique to Thai culture. Thai drum displays are also held here.
Muay Thai boxing can be seen here along with Thai fighting and Thai Theatre. Muay Thai is the national combat sport of Thailand, that uses stand up striking along with various clinching techniques. The physical and mental discipline which includes combat on shins is known as the art of eight limbs, because it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins. Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the twentieth century, when participants defeated notable practitioners of other martial arts.
The usual Elephant shows are held here. Playing games like football, basketball, golf ,even to Elephants drawing pictures! The shows are held at 9.45. 10.30. 15.00. and 15.45. They are a spectacle to watch just what Elephants can do when trained. Around the gardens you can see elevated viewing islands that are built up well above the rest of the roads and paths around this huge complex. A bus service runs around the grounds so you can hopefully cover all the interesting parts well within an acceptable time, especially if you are on a tour guided excursion. I took this tour, it lasts about an hour and stops at certain spots around the grounds to enable you to take photos or videos or just take in the views.
A mini zoo is here that is home to Monkeys, Tigers, Orangutans, Birds, Deer, Waterfowl, along with a miniature railway that runs around part of the garden. Koi fish are also on display and a Topiary garden will please those that are into shaped trees, bushes and conifer trees. A collection of Palm trees of all shapes and sizes, can be found in the Palm tree collection garden. These are obtained from all over the world and over 1000 species are planted here. A cactus and succulent section holds weird and wonderful Cacti. The strange display of some of the beautiful Cactus plants and the strange foliage, that is unique to this plant, over 300 different plants are planted here.
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Gardens, Near Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand.
On the 22nd of February 2011 I set off from Pattaya to visit Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Gardens on the Sukhumvit road near marker 163. This venue visited by so many to Pattaya and the surrounding areas has become the Mecca for people who love tropical plants and beautiful gardens. The idea was the brainchild of Mr Pisit and Mrs Nongnooch Tansacha who in 1954 purchased 600 acres of land that included rolling hills and valleys near Pattaya.
The advertising features for these gardens says its in Jomtien, Chonburi. However according to the map the area is in Sattahip. You will find in Thailand many addresses are made up near where they appear to look better and people can find them better, due to well known localities. However, if you mention to any taxi driver Nong Nooch gardens, even if you said in Rayong he would take you to the gardens. Such is the universal popularity of these beautiful gardens.
The original idea for buying the land was to create a fruit plantation. However due to the many trips overseas Mrs. Nongnooch was inspired by the many world renowned gardens and thought it a better idea to turn it into a tropical garden packed full of ornamental flowers and plants. From the very small beginnings the garden was opened in 1980 and was then named Suan Nong Nooch because the word Suan means garden and the other being the name of the founder.
The fame of the gardens spread and then Mrs Nongnooch son Mr Kampon Tansacha, took over the running of this fast becoming world renowned garden in its own right. Now more than 2000 visitors, VIP guests, schools and local Thai people, along with expats and visitors from all over the world visit every day. Nong Nooch gardens has become famous the world over for its Elephant and Thai cultural shows along with what is thought to be the biggest and the most wonderful tropical and botanical gardens in south east Asia.
The gardens are constantly evolving and progressing and provides new interest for loyal and returning visitors. Nong Nooch is also dedicated to education, preservation and research. It now has the largest collection of palms and the largest collection of Orchids in Thailand perhaps in the world, along with many other tropical flora and fauna that are now grown and cultivated here. Gardens have been set out as French garden, European garden, Stonehenge garden ( with its miniature stones ) Cactus and Succulent garden, Variegated plants, Orchid and Bromeliad display garden and flower valley garden.
There are other interesting sets of gardens within this Nong Nooch, such as a rock garden, or the Blue garden, where you can see large rocks on display. Butterfly hill is yet another where more interesting displays have been added. The Ant garden is also one display where large models of colourful ants are displayed in a garden setting. An antique hall is here packed with jewellery and Buddhas and other items of historical value. The Thai Cultural Hall, is a building that puts on Thai performances of the dances that are unique to Thai culture. Thai drum displays are also held here.
Muay Thai boxing can be seen here along with Thai fighting and Thai Theatre. Muay Thai is the national combat sport of Thailand, that uses stand up striking along with various clinching techniques. The physical and mental discipline which includes combat on shins is known as the art of eight limbs, because it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins. Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the twentieth century, when participants defeated notable practitioners of other martial arts.
The usual Elephant shows are held here. Playing games like football, basketball, golf ,even to Elephants drawing pictures! The shows are held at 9.45. 10.30. 15.00. and 15.45. They are a spectacle to watch just what Elephants can do when trained. Around the gardens you can see elevated viewing islands that are built up well above the rest of the roads and paths around this huge complex. A bus service runs around the grounds so you can hopefully cover all the interesting parts well within an acceptable time, especially if you are on a tour guided excursion. I took this tour, it lasts about an hour and stops at certain spots around the grounds to enable you to take photos or videos or just take in the views.
A mini zoo is here that is home to Monkeys, Tigers, Orangutans, Birds, Deer, Waterfowl, along with a miniature railway that runs around part of the garden. Koi fish are also on display and a Topiary garden will please those that are into shaped trees, bushes and conifer trees. A collection of Palm trees of all shapes and sizes, can be found in the Palm tree collection garden. These are obtained from all over the world and over 1000 species are planted here. A cactus and succulent section holds weird and wonderful Cacti. The strange display of some of the beautiful Cactus plants and the strange foliage, that is unique to this plant, over 300 different plants are planted here.