Chiang Mai raid finds white lion cub in unlicensed hotel

Authorities have seized a white lion cub from a building allegedly operating as an unlicensed hotel in Chiang Mai, following residents' complaints about repeated animal roars.

Police, local officials and conservation officers searched the property in Mueang Chiang Mai district at about 3pm on September 18. Residents said the noise, described as coming from a dangerous animal, had disturbed the neighbourhood from September 5 until the day of the raid.

The operation involved officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, Mueang Chiang Mai district administration and Conservation Area Administration Office 16. Police obtained a search warrant before entering the building.

Cub found on second floor

Police Major Jirayu Inkaew, an inspector with Sub-Division 4 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, said the search followed complaints that a white lion cub's barking had become a nuisance for nearby residents.

Officers found one white lion cub, estimated to be between two and three months old, on the second floor of the building. Photographs showing the lion at an earlier age were also reportedly found inside.

Conservation officials checked the animal and found it had no implanted microchip. No permit to keep the lion, nor ownership documents, were produced, authorities said.

The cub was seized for further checks. Police said the person responsible faced an allegation of possessing protected wildlife without permission.

Hotel licence had been refused

The property was said to be a Chinese-run operation. A 40-year-old Chinese woman, identified only as Ms Wang, presented herself to officers as the building's housekeeper.

Nattakorn Chuminthrajak, deputy district chief of Mueang Chiang Mai, said the building had originally been old but had been renovated and opened to visitors. He said it accepted only Chinese tourists.

Officials found that an application had previously been made to register the premises as a hotel, but approval had not been granted. Despite this, the property was allegedly still being run as accommodation.

Ms Wang was taken to Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station to face allegations of possessing protected wildlife without permission and operating a hotel without a licence. Authorities said they would widen their investigation to identify the investors and the Thai person who purchased the building.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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20 September 2026