Songkhla zoo is the largest zoo in the South of Thailand and is the best place to see zoo animals in the area. It is a relatively new collection having first opened its gates to the public in 1989. It is one of the very few Thai zoos which are members of the Zoological Park Organisation and as such sets itself apart from the purely exploitative commercial collections which are so common in the country. Songkhla has committed itself to a genuine conservation role and does have educational input.