Can tourists still pet tigers in Thailand, and where is closest to Bangkok?

[cliveshep]

A few years back they had 3 or 5 tigers in the Elephant place in Ayutthaya plus a handful of delightful cubs. My daughter and her bf are hoping to come over around Christmas time assuming Thailand Pass is abandoned along with those onerous Insurance requirements that are sending tourists elsewhere.

 

Last time she came she was able to play with and bottle feed cubs and even cuddle/stroke an adult tiger both in Ayutthaya and also in the Safari Park and Open Zoo in Kanchanaburi. 

 

I am not inviting comments from the morons, muppets and tree-huggers here who got the Tiger Temple closed down and the tigers seized by the Government - whereupon 2/3 of them died. Well done guys - try thinking before shouting next time. As you can see I really have no patience with these people who would rather see tigers and former working elephants destroyed for economical reasons than allow them to be used to earn their food and keep with tourists. You can post your toxic comments elsewhere thanks.

 

No, I would like to take my family somewhere hopefully not to far from Bkk where my wife and I live so they can have the experience of a lifetime not permitted in the over-regulated UK with it's "sniffy" H & S and others sticking their oar in stopping conker playing etc and banning peanuts (they probably got laws against peanuts too!).

 

So please - anyone got any info on where to take my family to bottle feed cubs perhaps, or simply pose with beautiful big cats that we can reach in our old car and is affordably fairly close? Chiang Mai is simply far too far and we cannot afford the air fares being committed financially to other families we support. So preferably not further than Kanchanaburi. Thanks guys.

[Havefunme]

Tiger park Pattaya 

[it is what it is]

 

it's humiliating for the animal, please don't.

[Mac Mickmanus]

2 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

 

it's humiliating for the animal, please don't.

Since when were you asked and nominated to speak on behalf of tigers ?

Tigers, like cats , enjoy being stroked 

[Adumbration]

23 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Since when were you asked and nominated to speak on behalf of tigers ?

Tigers, like cats , enjoy being stroked 

I am confident wild tigers do not enjoy being touched.  Drugged and domesticated cats will tolerate it...sometimes:

 

 

[worgeordie]

If you are going to do this , best pose with an adult Tiger,

but make sure its suitably drugged , so you don't get attacked.....????

regards worgeordie

 

 

[BangkokReady]

Didn't the tiger place have a load of dead tiger cubs and tiger body parts frozen?  I don't think they were that much better off in the tiger sanctuary.  Death may have been the more favourable option.

 

Best not to associate yourself with any animal tourism in Thailand, unless you are very sure that the animals are not being abused and are being cared for properly.

[Mac Mickmanus]

19 minutes ago, Adumbration said:

I am confident wild tigers do not enjoy being touched.  Drugged and domesticated cats will tolerate it...sometimes:

 

 

They are big cats and they enjoy being stroked . 

They like being stroked hard , quite forcefully 

[Adumbration]

7 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

They are big cats and they enjoy being stroked . 

They like being stroked hard , quite forcefully 

Absolute nonsense.

Good luck getting close enough to a wild big cat to stroke it.  And keeping your arm if you do.

[Mac Mickmanus]

3 minutes ago, Adumbration said:

Absolute nonsense.

Good luck getting close enough to a wild big cat to stroke it.  And keeping your arm if you do.

They are not wild tigers , they are tame , they were born in captivity and are happy being around humans 

[Bkk Brian]

49 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

They are not wild tigers , they are tame , they were born in captivity and are happy being around humans 

The vile craze for 'drugged tiger' selfies in Thailand

[Mac Mickmanus]

3 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

The vile craze for 'drugged tiger' selfies in Thailand

"We don't know whether they use drugs or not, we have no evidence that they do" 

Says the report 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Mac Mickmanus said:

"We don't know whether they use drugs or not, we have no evidence that they do" 

Says the report 

A viral video of a heavily sedated lion being used as a photo prop at Thailand's Taman Safari park in 2016 drew brief worldwide attention to the issue. In the footage, a park worker repeatedly pushes a drugged lion cub’s head up while visitors drape their arms over it and say "cheese" for the camera.

 

https://www.vice.com/en/article/935vx5/image-of-woman-holding-drugged-tigers-testicles-at-thai-zoo-prompts-backlash

[cliveshep]

1 hour ago, Adumbration said:

Absolute nonsense.

Good luck getting close enough to a wild big cat to stroke it.  And keeping your arm if you do.

I've petted tigers, got a half grown cub chomping my hand one time but just mouthing really. Tigers don't like their ears scratched unlike dogs, one way to get mauled is to try it. But cats love being petted and if you were ever "owned" by a cat they leave you under no illusions that petting is your duty! Tigers too like petting but not the silly soft sort that tickles them! 

 

Mind you they like a juicy steak better!

[Mac Mickmanus]

4 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

A viral video of a heavily sedated lion being used as a photo prop at Thailand's Taman Safari park in 2016 drew brief worldwide attention to the issue. In the footage, a park worker repeatedly pushes a drugged lion cub’s head up while visitors drape their arms over it and say "cheese" for the camera.

 

https://www.vice.com/en/article/935vx5/image-of-woman-holding-drugged-tigers-testicles-at-thai-zoo-prompts-backlash

Tigers are naturally docile in the day time , they usually sleep in the daytime in the wild .They are only active in the morning and evening and sleep in the daytime 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Mac Mickmanus said:

Tigers are naturally docile in the day time , they usually sleep in the daytime in the wild .They are only active in the morning and evening and sleep in the daytime 

Whats that got to do with drugging them? How many more links would you like of the abuse they suffer?

[Mac Mickmanus]

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

Whats that got to do with drugging them? How many more links would you like of the abuse they suffer?

I would like just one link where it shows they are being drugged . 

I person writing " I think they might be drugged" isn't proof that they are .

What evidence or proof do you have that the tigers are being drugged ?

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Mac Mickmanus said:

I would like just one link where it shows they are being drugged . 

I person writing " I think they might be drugged" isn't proof that they are .

What evidence or proof do you have that the tigers are being drugged ?

They are abused simple as that, to say they enjoy their time there being petted is ignorance.

 

"Bangkok post article 19th Feb 2020 article can't link to it. regards the drugging of tigers"

 

 

They endure a lifetime of suffering starting with early removal from their mothers followed by unrelenting handling and stressful interactions with visitors. As they grow they are often confined to small, barren cages, chained, and subjected to harsh training regimes to prepare them for distressing, unnatural performances and behaviours.

https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/sites/default/files/media/int_files/tiger_selfies_exposed_a_portrait_of_thailands_tiger_entertainment_industry.pdf

[Meat Pie 47]

8 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

I would like just one link where it shows they are being drugged . 

I person writing " I think they might be drugged" isn't proof that they are .

What evidence or proof do you have that the tigers are being drugged ?

[Meat Pie 47]

Just now, Meat Pie 47 said:

You also want prove the Thai government is corrupt?

[cliveshep]

Thus far only one person has answered my question, thanks for the4 info on Pattaya Zoo. Quite a lot of posts from the tree huggers I specifically asked not to bother to chime in, we know your views and feelings, I do not want to hear more of them.

 

My son went to wash elephants in Chiang Mai's rivers, came back full of how elephant places abused elephants and how we must not ride on them as the poor things suffer from bad backs etc. Utter cobblers of course but that is what these so-called animal lovers tell them. Of course he was horrified when I told him that no one wants a redundant working animal or could look after it or afford to feed it so now tractors and winches have replaced elephants what did he suggest, apart from a bullet, be done with them?

 

He had no answer, and none of the tree huggers can answer that question sensibly.  "Elephant sanctuaries" they will say  glibly, because that is what they have been told. Fine, who pays for those? Who buys the land, puts elephant-proof fences around it so they don't wander off and scoff some poor farmers crops? Who pays the men to care for them? Who pays the fodder bill day after day for 5o years or more? Ditto tiger sanctuaries where tourists don't visit or interact. Who pays?

 

Funny really, the most vociferous animal rights proponents cannot answer that question. They'll glibly tell you endangered species must be protected, but cannot think of a way to do it that isn't going to cost an awful lot of money. So elephant football actually works, as does elephant artistry, the animals get some  exercise, earn money which pays for their keep.

 

Same with tigers, those 140 odd tigers in Kanchanaburi were bonded to the monks in a personal way, went for daily walks, were human-socialised. So maybe some cubs were killed and income derived from body parts - yes, it is a hateful business but tigers are NOT pussy cats, they eat a lot and that costs a lot. The monks managed to keep 140 odd tigers self-supporting and contented and no evidence of drugging. Along come do-gooders, government takes the cats away and 2/3 die in cramped cages. For me they were better off exploited for tourists, they got fed, walked, socialised and were not locked away in cramped quarters with no sort of life.

 

And apart from some looney-toons pushing my buttons, is there anywhere else apart from Pattaya?

[Fortescue]

I should say it's more humiliating for the human than for the tiger, since it shows absolutely no respect for the animal as an alpha predator. If you want to cuddle a tiger, buy a toy and watch Disney animations, these wild animals have millenia of predatory instincts developed in them. Do you imagine that being born in captivity for one or two generations changes that? The answer to that question can be found in the number of idiots in South Africa and elsewhere that have been killed, maimed, dismembered and eaten when they thought they had a friendly relationship with the beast.

[Captain Monday]

57 minutes ago, cliveshep said:

Thus far only one person has answered my question, thanks for the4 info on Pattaya Zoo. Quite a lot of posts from the tree huggers I specifically asked not to bother to chime in, we know your views and feelings, I do not want to hear more of them.

 

My son went to wash elephants in Chiang Mai's rivers, came back full of how elephant places abused elephants and how we must not ride on them as the poor things suffer from bad backs etc. Utter cobblers of course but that is what these so-called animal lovers tell them. Of course he was horrified when I told him that no one wants a redundant working animal or could look after it or afford to feed it so now tractors and winches have replaced elephants what did he suggest, apart from a bullet, be done with them?

 

He had no answer, and none of the tree huggers can answer that question sensibly.  "Elephant sanctuaries" they will say  glibly, because that is what they have been told. Fine, who pays for those? Who buys the land, puts elephant-proof fences around it so they don't wander off and scoff some poor farmers crops? Who pays the men to care for them? Who pays the fodder bill day after day for 5o years or more? Ditto tiger sanctuaries where tourists don't visit or interact. Who pays?

 

Funny really, the most vociferous animal rights proponents cannot answer that question. They'll glibly tell you endangered species must be protected, but cannot think of a way to do it that isn't going to cost an awful lot of money. So elephant football actually works, as does elephant artistry, the animals get some  exercise, earn money which pays for their keep.

 

Same with tigers, those 140 odd tigers in Kanchanaburi were bonded to the monks in a personal way, went for daily walks, were human-socialised. So maybe some cubs were killed and income derived from body parts - yes, it is a hateful business but tigers are NOT pussy cats, they eat a lot and that costs a lot. The monks managed to keep 140 odd tigers self-supporting and contented and no evidence of drugging. Along come do-gooders, government takes the cats away and 2/3 die in cramped cages. For me they were better off exploited for tourists, they got fed, walked, socialised and were not locked away in cramped quarters with no sort of life.

 

And apart from some looney-toons pushing my buttons, is there anywhere else apart from Pattaya?

I went to the Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai I never said  I would do it but I had to take guests. The facility is attractive  doesn't even smell like a zoo. There is no drugging going on these beasts are hand raised and only a select few of the big ones are suitable for the encounter cages.

Others can be seen in large enclosures literally stalking your children passersby.

 

Don't fool yourself this has nothing to do with wildlife conservation. The only way to ensure large predators are protected is to protect their habitats in very large swaths.  The   "smallest" are the cutest and most expensive to pet. In order to keep kittens in supply as they grow fast is to keep breeding, done by artificial insemination. No way they are paying huge feed bills for long life for large numbers of vicious tigers. These are surely harvested and sold for their parts, to China. Nothing illegal about it It is a commercial animal farm run for profit. 

[Mac Mickmanus]

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

They are abused simple as that, to say they enjoy their time there being petted is ignorance.

 

"Bangkok post article 19th Feb 2020 article can't link to it. regards the drugging of tigers"

 

 

They endure a lifetime of suffering starting with early removal from their mothers followed by unrelenting handling and stressful interactions with visitors. As they grow they are often confined to small, barren cages, chained, and subjected to harsh training regimes to prepare them for distressing, unnatural performances and behaviours.

https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/sites/default/files/media/int_files/tiger_selfies_exposed_a_portrait_of_thailands_tiger_entertainment_industry.pdf

Out in the wild, in the jungle . 

Male tigers fight each other to be leader of the herd and being leader of the herd gives them the right to breed with the females .

   When one tiger fights and kills a rival tiger and becomes leader of the herd, he will also kill any cub tigers , he will do this because it encourages the female tigers to breed again .

   Instead of letting a new herd leader kill all the cubs , people go and rescue the cubs and bring them up themselves , and to pay to for , they open Tiger kingdom where people  can pay an entrance fee and this goes towards paying for the food .

  Would you prefer to just let the new tiger herd leader kill all the baby tigers or would you support people rescuing those soon to be killed tiger cubs ?

[orchis]

????

[Mac Mickmanus]

6 minutes ago, orchis said:

????

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[Gottfrid]

7 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Since when were you asked and nominated to speak on behalf of tigers ?

Tigers, like cats , enjoy being stroked 

Yes, also if they do not like it, they have a better way to tell you that. ????

[Mac Mickmanus]

29 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, also if they do not like it, they have a better way to tell you that. ????

Yes, if you upset a tiger , he will bite you and probably kill you 

[Skeptic7]

 

[Skeptic7]

Please don't support animal prisons. These animals are drugged, adused, malnourished and physically unfit. Educate yourself and your children and become part of the anti-animal cruelty & exploitation movement. ????