Samut Prakan - Crocodile Farm

To the south of Samut Prakan (777 Taiban Road) the crocodile farm, the second largest establishment of its kind in the world, claims to be home to 40,000 crocodiles. The owner of this extensive site, which resembles an American theme park, began in 1950 with a few dozen animals; he claims his motivation is to save this threatened species from extinction. Making money is not purely incidental; the farm has a business which processes crocodile leather. The "Washington Biodiversity Agreement", which extends to reptiles, allows the export of crocodile leather if it is from farmed animals. Before purchasing shoes, bags or belts the goods should be examined to see that they carry an internationally valid certificate. The tours are interesting and worthwhile. Together with the crocodiles (including the largest crocodile held in captivity in the world, 5.9 m (19 ft) long and weighing 1.1 tons) are tigers, chimpanzees, snakes and elephants (rides available). The crocodile farm often features in one-day and half-day organized tours, often combined with a visit to Nakhon Pathom and the floating market at Damnoen Saduak.