Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Overview

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is a 500-acre botanical complex about 15 km south of Pattaya. It is one of Southeast Asia's most extensive themed garden collections, featuring a French parterre, a cycad collection with over 1,100 species, and a butterfly hill. The park also stages cultural shows and dolphin performances.

Highlights

• French Garden: A precise Versailles-inspired parterre with topiary elephants and geometric hedges.
• Cycad collection: The world's largest private collection of cycads, recognised by the IUCN.
• Thai cultural show: A 45-minute programme of classical dance, Thai boxing, and elephant demonstrations (currently transitioning to cruelty-free models).

History

Mrs. Nongnooch Tansacha purchased the land in 1954 as a fruit plantation. In 1980 she opened the gardens to the public. Since then, the park has expanded to include thematic sections — Stonehenge replicas, dinosaur-themed gardens, and a car museum — making it one of Chonburi Province's most-visited attractions.

Visitor Tips

• Shuttle buses: Trams circulate the grounds; buy a day pass to save walking in the heat.
• Arrive early: Gates open at 08:00; the first cultural show starts at 10:15.
• Duration: 3–4 hours to see the highlights.