Freshwater Fish Exhibition

Rating: 4.2/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Tuesday – Sunday (closed on Monday)

Opening Hours: 10.00 – 16.00 *hours may change according to the provider’s official announcements

 

The Freshwater Fish Exhibition is one of those Bangkok attractions that feels perfect when you want a quick change of scenery without battling long-distance traffic. Located within the Department of Fisheries inside Kasetsart University (Bangkhen), it offers a focused, knowledge-rich world of freshwater fish and aquatic plants. The visit is easy, genuinely educational, and works for all ages—from kids who get excited by big fish to adults who want a calm indoor outing. Most people can comfortably see everything in about 1–2 hours without feeling rushed.

 

What makes a freshwater aquarium special is how it brings you back to an underwater world that feels familiar, yet rarely examined up close—fish from rivers, canals, and freshwater farms in Thailand. You’ll see economically important species, rarer fish that are becoming harder to encounter in the wild, and ornamental fish that represent Thailand in international markets. The experience feels more complete because the tanks are arranged with ecosystem context: aquatic plants, structures for shelter, and a sense of habitat. That way, you’re not just looking at individual fish, but observing relationships between living creatures and their environments.

 

If you like places with a story behind them, this exhibition has a long and meaningful history. Bangkok’s fish exhibition began as early as 1940 (B.E. 2483). In its early stage it was a wooden building with a limited number of glass tanks, before gradually developing into a public learning space under the Department of Fisheries. Later, as Thailand advanced freshwater fisheries research more seriously, the Department of Fisheries worked with the Canadian government to establish the National Inland Fisheries Institute. This cooperation led to the construction of a newer freshwater fish exhibition building, officially opened on 29 September 1978 (B.E. 2521). That background makes the place more than a simple attraction—it is also a milestone in Thailand’s freshwater fisheries academic development.

 

The exhibition is designed to be easy to follow and friendly for families, children, and elderly visitors. The main displays are divided across two floors. Floor 1 focuses on Thai freshwater fish species and a section that introduces aquatic plants, which are key components of freshwater ecosystems. Floor 2 continues with Thai fish and ornamental fish for export, along with a selection of interesting freshwater species from other countries. The flow naturally takes you from “core basics” to “diversity and highlights,” making the visit feel structured rather than random.

 

A simple trick to enjoy the walk more is to avoid treating it like a quick pass-by. Give yourself a small “mission.” For example, notice how fish that stay near the bottom tend to have different body shapes and colors compared with fish that swim mid-water. Or observe why tanks with dense aquatic plants often have more small fish—because plants act as shelter. This turns the visit into an easy form of nature-reading. Kids can play along, adults can get into it, and you don’t need a science background to appreciate what you’re seeing.

 

If you enjoy photography, it helps to know that shooting through aquarium glass takes a bit of technique. Move your camera as close to the glass as possible to reduce reflections, adjust your angle to avoid lights behind you, and avoid using flash. Flash not only creates glare on the glass, it can also disturb the fish. If you want clear, sharp shots, wait for the fish to turn side-on before pressing the shutter—that’s when you’ll capture patterns and proportions best.

 

As a family-friendly spot, this place works especially well on hot days or when rain is threatening, because the whole experience is indoors. It is also the kind of attraction that creates conversation afterward—children often ask what different fish eat, why some grow so large, or why certain colors look unusual. Those questions become a natural way to talk about ecosystems without feeling like a textbook lesson. For adults, seeing many Thai freshwater species together can also bring back images of canal-side life and river culture that used to feel more closely tied to Bangkok than it does today.

 

Getting There Most trips begin by entering Kasetsart University (Bangkhen), since the exhibition is within the Department of Fisheries area inside the campus. If you take the BTS, you can get off at a station near the university zone and then continue by taxi, motorcycle taxi, or other local transport into the campus. If you drive, it is best to allow extra time on weekday mornings and evenings, when traffic becomes heavier due to campus schedules. Once inside, use university parking areas and walk to the site. On event days or during the academic term, parking can fill quickly. For the smoothest visit, many people prefer late morning to early afternoon on weekdays, then continue to food spots around the university afterward without rushing.

 

If you want to plan a worthwhile half-day, start at the freshwater exhibition first and spend about 60–120 minutes at a relaxed pace. After that, you can look for food around Kasetsart University or near the BTS Kasetsart University area, where there are plenty of choices. If you have a full day, you can continue to nearby museums or landmarks such as Ying Charoen Market or the Chatuchak area. If you’re traveling with young children, it’s often best to do indoor activities earlier, then save outdoor walking for the late afternoon when the weather is kinder.

 

One small thing to keep in mind is that, because this is an educational venue under a government department rather than a fully commercial attraction, there may occasionally be maintenance periods or rotating displays depending on official operations. Before you go, it helps to check the latest announcements through the official channels or call ahead, especially if you’re bringing children, visiting from far away, or traveling as a group.

 

 

A: Yes. It is very family-friendly, fully indoors, and encourages curiosity about nature. Parents should supervise closely and avoid using flash photography.

 

A: Most visitors spend about 1–2 hours, especially if they take time to look closely at the tanks and aquatic plant displays.

 

A: Generally yes, but it is recommended to avoid flash to reduce glare and to avoid disturbing the fish.

 

A: It is recommended to call ahead to arrange suitable visiting times, especially during peak school-visit periods.

 

A: Yes. You can take the BTS to a station near the university zone and then continue by taxi or motorcycle taxi into the campus.

 

A: Because it is operated by a government department, maintenance or schedule adjustments may happen occasionally. Checking official announcements or calling ahead is recommended, especially if you are traveling from far away or visiting with children.