Where can u see tigers in thailand?

jonnymac33 · #1 (**permalink**) 6th March 2011, 10:45 AM

im flying in 3 weeks. staying in krabi. is there anywhere near krabi or phuket where you can pet tigers and get a photo taken?

Curt · #2 (**permalink**) 6th March 2011, 11:15 AM

No pun intended, but.... anyone going to bite?

steveadmin · #3 (**permalink**) 6th March 2011, 12:30 PM

The oft-quoted place is the Tiger Temple outside of Kanchanaburi. Obviously that's nowhere near Phuket or Krabi, but it's within striking distance of BKK if you are arriving there by any chance. Never been my thing, getting close to a killer mammal... careful it doesn't rip your lungs out

Phuket Zoo might be an option to get your pic with a tiger cub - anyone know if they do that sort of thing still or whether they have any young'uns there at the moment?

kyshel · #4 (**permalink**) 7th March 2011, 04:19 PM

I've been and it's an interesting and controversial sanctuary/show place.
You can play w/cubs (monks holds them wrapped in heavy toweling--those claws are pretty tough) as well as pet the big striped kitties in the afternoon (once fed) I never saw what some say is drugging. My big kitty got a little frisky and the handler gently moved me (quickly!! I must add) to keep me safe.
It is reachable w/taxi or guide/tour from BKK and takes a good chunk of the day, visiting and transporting. Usually combined with flaoting market and or Kanchanaburi/River Kwai.
Hope that helps

stevenl · #5 (**permalink**) 8th March 2011, 02:59 AM

To clarify: Kyshel is talking about the Tiger Temple as mentioned by Steve, about 8-10 hours drive from Ao Nang.

Emdee · #6 (**permalink**) 8th March 2011, 03:05 AM

I was going to bite Curt . . . however, I guess the sermon from the mountain gets repetitive after a while!!!!!!!!!!!!

stevenl · #7 (**permalink**) 8th March 2011, 08:11 AM

Sorry, make that 12+ hours drive.

thailandtravelworld · #8 (**permalink**) 8th March 2011, 08:17 AM

I would recommend Kanchanaburi - tiger temple or Chiang Mai zoo.

Bec · #9 (**permalink**) 8th March 2011, 11:48 PM

I haven't been, and I don't know a lot about it. But please visit Tiger Temple Truths - The Truth about the Tiger Temple Thailand , look through the site, look at the photos (terrible housing and treatment) read the given information and reference the sources before you visit Tiger Temple.

If Tiger Temple is meant to be a sanctuary for rehabilitating tigers, the last thing they should be doing is domesticating them by excessive human interaction.

Curt · #10 (**permalink**) 9th March 2011, 01:43 AM

That took a while ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bec

I haven't been, and I don't know a lot about it.....

Most detractors are in the same boat.

Quote:

If Tiger Temple is meant to be a sanctuary for rehabilitating tigers, the last thing they should be doing is domesticating them by excessive human interaction.

The goal of the temple isn't, and has never been, rehailitation.

For some real insight into the "controversy", check out Tiger Temple

Read the landing page. You will read what a terrible place it is. This page is often referenced by those campaigning against the temple.

But, if you read the rest of the site, you will learn that, based on their actual experience working at the temple, they had nothing but praise.

All their dissent is based on WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD AND READ !!! It is little more than parroting the accusations spread by the detractors.

It isn't surprising that their "update" coincides with the CWI's release of their "report", a report with few facts and lots of speculation and insinuation. All these organizations have their own agendas, mostly getting rich through promoting causes.

About the only accusation that still surfaces is that they have a breeding "program". This is an issue that would hardly disturb most visitors.