Looking for some new places to visit on my next trip. Appreciate feedback on where it is, best way to get there (coming from lower sukhumvit), and nearby attractions.

it is directly across the side road from the king's Chit_-_-_- Palace... his current residence.

it is a simple zoo but worth an hour or two..

The zoo is actually across the street from Vimanmek Mansion and the Ananta Samakorn Throne Hall where the Arts of the Kingdom exhibit is on display. The King's current residence, Chitrlada Palace is on the other side of the zoo. The entrance to the zoo (or the one I always see) faces the throne hall. Wat Benjamabophit (the Marble Temple) is also just around the corner.

You can reach the zoo either by taking a boat to the Tewet Pier and then grabbing a taxi or tuk-tuk, or by Skytrain to the Phyathai station, and then a taxi or tuk-tuk. Here's a simple map of the area:
http://bangkokforvisitors.com/whats-nearby.php?node=189

we entered directly opposite the chitrlada palace, so there must be several ways to enter

Thank you both for this type info. There is more around it then I imagined.

With a username of a town just South of Pattaya you must be some kind of an expat. You don't get to Bangkok much?

I am ....well, maybe a semi-expat. Visit often for a month at a time, but not taken the plunge and moved there to live full time. Seriously thinking about it.

there is not much in the area except the v-mek and throne room