Pata Zoo is a quirky, decades-old indoor zoo located on the 6th and 7th floors of the Pata Pinklao Department Store. Opened in 1983, it houses a variety of animals including Bua Noi, Thailand’s last gorilla who has lived in a small concrete enclosure for over 30 years. The zoo has long faced criticism from animal welfare advocates over its cramped, unnatural environment and lack of proper enrichment or natural habitats. Organizations such as PETA and the Wildlife Friends Foundation have documented animals exhibiting signs of severe psychological distress such as hair plucking, stereotypic swaying, pacing and self-harm linked to inadequate shade, natural light, stimulation and social interaction.
