Visiting the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium (2025)

The Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium is the ideal escape from the loud, hectic city of Bangkok; we share everything you need to know.

If you love tiny wings, bright colours, and the slow, meditative hush of a greenhouse full of flowers, the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium is an absolute delight. Tucked into the green lung of northern Bangkok near Chatuchak and Rot Fai Park (Wachirabenchathat Park), this airy dome and its adjoining exhibition spaces are equal parts natural spectacle and small, friendly museum — perfect for families, nature photographers, anyone curious about life cycles, or travellers who want a calm, offbeat stop between markets and temples.

Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium Guide

Why the Butterfly Garden is worth your time

Bangkok can be loud, humid and hectic — and that’s why the butterfly garden is such a relief. Step into the dome and you enter a carefully curated mini-ecosystem: shaded paths, profuse nectar plants, trickling water features, and butterflies lazily searching for flowers. For a city that rarely feels green, the garden’s mix of plants and fluttering wings feels restorative. It’s also an educational space: there are exhibits on life cycles, breeding rooms, and insect displays that make it a gentle learning stop for kids or anyone interested in biodiversity.

Where exactly is it?

The Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium sits in the Rot Fai / Wachirabenchathat Park area in Chatuchak district — part of a cluster of connected public parks that include Chatuchak Park and Queen Sirikit Park. The garden’s dome is prominent once you’re in the park: a large, airy greenhouse-like structure that’s easy to spot if you know to look for it along Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road. The official address and contact details are published by the city and tourism sources. 

Opening hours, entrance fee and contact

Practical facts first: published opening hours are typically Tuesday–Sunday from 08:30 to 16:30; the garden is closed on Mondays (public-holiday exceptions sometimes apply), and entry is free — it’s run as a public educational facility. For group visits (particularly school groups), the garden may ask for advance permission or booking. If you want to double-check on the day you plan to visit or arrange a group visit, there’s a public-park phone number listed on official pages. 

How to get to Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium

By BTS + walk: the nearest BTS station is Mo Chit (end of the Sukhumvit Line). From Mo Chit, you can walk through Chatuchak Park and follow signs or local paths toward Rot Fai Park; it’s a pleasant 15–25 minute walk depending on your pace and where in the park you enter. Many visitors also combine the garden with Chatuchak Weekend Market (depending on the day). 

By MRT: get off at Chatuchak Park (MRT) and walk across the park; follow paths toward Kamphaeng Phet Road and look for the greenhouses/dome. Both BTS and MRT exits have park entrances that make a scenic walking route to the garden. Whilst here, make sure to visit the best parks in Bangkok nearby too.

By taxi / Grab: Rot Fai Park is well-known to drivers; tell them “Wachirabenchathat Park” or “Butterfly Garden Rot Fai” (or show the address). The park has multiple gates; ask to be dropped at Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road for the shortest walk to the dome. 

What to expect inside — the dome, the insectarium, and exhibits

The attraction is more than just a greenhouse with butterflies. Expect several connected areas:

• The butterfly dome/enclosure — the star attraction. It’s a ventilated, greenhouse-style structure filled with flowering plants, perches, small waterfalls or ponds, and butterflies of many common Thai species. Walk the gentle paths, pause on benches, and watch butterflies feed, land or court. Many are used to people and can land on clothing or hands if you remain still, but you should not chase or try to touch them.
• Breeding and larval rooms — educational spaces showing caterpillars, chrysalises and the rearing process used to cultivate butterflies for release. These are great for kids learning the butterfly life cycle — you may see feeding frames with fruit and explanations of species.
• Insectarium & exhibitions — displays of beetles, stick insects, and other local invertebrates, plus interpretive panels about ecology, host plants and conservation.
• Mini-theatre / learning area — some sites play short educational films or slideshows about pollination, insect roles in ecosystems, and species identification.

Overall, the complex balances an immersive “walk among butterflies” experience with an educational mission, which makes it an ideal spot for curious travelers and families.

Which species you might see

The garden showcases many common and spectacular Thai butterflies. Species that frequent such displays include (but aren’t limited to):

• Birdwing species (large, dramatic winged butterflies)
• Giant silkworms and other big moth-like butterflies
• Nymphalids and swallowtails in various colours and patterns

(If you’re a serious lepidopterist, the garden staff or educational panels may list precise species rosters; these can change with breeding cycles and seasons.) Photos from visitors show a range of sizes and patterns — expect everything from delicate small blues to large, showy species that look like flying stained-glass.

Best time to visit for butterflies, crowds and photography

Morning is best. Aim for earlier in the morning soon after opening (around 08:30) for the best light and the most active butterflies. Later in the day butterflies can become less active or shelter in shade — morning light also floods the dome for nicer images. Weekdays outside school holidays are quieter; weekends, especially Sunday afternoons, are the busiest times because families and local visitors come to the park; this is one of the most local things to do in Bangkok.

If photography is your priority: go early, bring a camera with a good macro capability (or a smartphone with a macro mode), and be patient. Butterflies prefer flowers and perches, so waiting still near nectar plants will reward you with butterflies settling nearby.

Photography Tips

1. Use natural light: the dome is bright in the morning; avoid flash if possible — it can startle insects and produce harsh reflections on greenhouse glass. Use a higher ISO and wider aperture if you need faster shutter speeds.
2. Macro lens or close-focus zoom: if you have one, bring a macro lens (90–105mm) or a lens that can focus close; telephoto macro combos work well because many butterflies stop a short distance away.
3. Patience & posture: move slowly, stand or sit quietly, and avoid quick hand movements. The more calm you are, the more likely a butterfly will land near you.
4. Use continuous shooting: for flying shots or quick landings, burst mode helps you capture the perfect wing position.
5. Mind reflections: the dome has glass/metal structure — angle your shots to minimize reflections and capture greenery as a soft background.
6. Respect rules: don’t touch or chase butterflies for a shot; follow any staff instructions.

What to wear and bring

• Light, breathable clothes — it’s humid inside the dome even if shaded.
• Comfortable walking shoes — paths are easy but you may walk through the surrounding park too.
• Hat & sunscreen — for the walk across the park or if you sit on outdoor benches.
• Water bottle — stay hydrated (there may be vendors nearby but bring one to be safe).
• Insect repellent? Skip strong sprays on your clothes before entering: heavy repellents will deter butterflies and make the experience less successful. Use repellents on exposed skin if you’re concerned about mosquitoes while walking through the park, but avoid spraying near the dome entrance.
• Small notebook or app — if you like identifying species, jot down notes or use an ID app.

How long you should budget

Many visitors spend 45 minutes to 1.5 hours inside, depending on how much you linger for photos, read exhibits or watch the breeding rooms. If you combine the visit with a walk in the park or Chatuchak Weekend Market nearby, make the outing a half-day (3–5 hours). The garden itself is compact but dense in interest, so it rewards slow, unhurried exploration. 

We headed to one of the more unique cafes in Bangkok nearby for a perfect, chilled morning.

Tips to be a respectful visitor

• Don’t touch butterflies — it damages their wings and can kill them.
• Stay on the paths — avoid trampling plants and nectar beds.
• Turn off flash photography — it can disturb wildlife and other visitors.
• No feeding with outside food — the garden provides appropriate feeding sources; don’t introduce foreign food or substances.
• Leave no litter — park bins are provided; disposing responsibly helps wildlife and fellow visitors.

Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium F.A.Q

Is the Butterfly Garden free?
Yes — entry is generally free. It’s a public educational facility and one of the best free things to do in Bangkok.

When is it open?
Most sources list the garden as open Tuesday–Sunday, 08:30–16:30, closed Mondays — but check ahead for special closures or holiday changes. 

Can I take photos?
Yes. Photography is encouraged for non-commercial use; avoid flash and respect other visitors. If you plan to shoot commercially, contact the park for permission.

Are there guided tours?
Some educational talks and school-group programs exist; for private guided tours you may need to contact the park or book through a local operator. For group visits, the garden sometimes requests advance notice.

Is it suitable for young children?
Yes — it’s family-friendly and a great way to introduce young kids to nature, caterpillars, and life cycles. Supervision is recommended around water features and exhibits.

Free Things to do in Bangkok