A Thai woman has been identified as the owner of a young lion, recently taken on a ride in a convertible in Pattaya.

 

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said that the woman, Sawangjit Kosoongnern, is the legally registered owner of the animal in Ratchaburi province.

 

She has asked the department for permission to move the lion to Pattaya, in Chonburi province, but the request has not yet been approved.

 

“Therefore, Sawangjit did violate laws concerning the taking of a wild animal out in public and moving its location without prior permission. She could face a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to Bt50,000,” explained Atthaphon.

 

The driver of the convertible was Sawangjit’s Indian friend.

 

Department officials had been instructed to locate the person who took a cat for a ride in his convertible in Pattaya, after a video clip of the excursion went viral.

 

The clip was posted on the Facebook page of Ann Isan Russia with a caption which read “This is Pattaya!”

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-23

 

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Thai Government Officials to Probe Tourist Riding in Convertible with Lion Cub in Pattaya
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

PHOTO: Khaosod

Pattaya — The Thai National Parks Department is launching an investigation into a foreign man who was spotted driving through the street of Pattaya in a Bentley, accompanied by what appears to be a lion cub in the back seat.

The incident came to light from a viral TikTok video posted by a user named “Ann Isaan Russia (แอน อีสานรัสเซีย)”. The clip clearly depicted a white lion sitting in a luxurious open-roof Bentley, traversing on the busy street of Pattaya.

 

In the footage, several motorists appeared concerned and somewhat apprehensive about the lion’s presence, given the proximity between them and the animal. However, the lion itself seemed calm and domesticated and appeared to have a collar and leash.

 

In response to the incident, Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, immediately assigned relevant officials to investigate the incident.

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-01-24

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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The lion is in Bentley, go figure.....

Lion cub witnesses its first daytime barfine exit by AseanNow long-time member.

Not sure what all the fuss is about, I take my pet lion out in my Bentley convertible daily 🤣

 

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The driver of the convertible was Sawangjit’s Indian friend

The guy i saw in the white Bentley and later in his look at me Jeep looked like a black guy

Idiots exist in many shape and form

Millions of baht driving along. I don't think she will be worried about a fine!

Unfortunately, probably already has been declawed by selfish owners.

Owners will probably lose interest eventually and have it shot on a fake hunt by other rich a-holes.

Mike Tyson is back in town, baby 🍼

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“Therefore, Sawangjit did violate laws concerning the taking of a wild animal out in public and moving its location without prior permission. She could face a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to Bt50,000,” explained Atthaphon.

As dumb as they come... 

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Not sure what all the fuss is about, I take my pet lion out in my Bentley convertible daily 🤣

 

Should up-date to a Roller, and a diamond necklace for the Lion. 

8 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Should up-date to a Roller, and a diamond necklace for the Lion. 

I always though Bentleys were like a rich man's roller, with a bit more umphfff.

 

8 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Should up-date to a Roller, and a diamond necklace for the Lion. 

That sounds like one way to keep a necklace safe from the ladyboys on Beach Road!

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, the lion itself seemed calm and domesticated and appeared to have a collar and leash.

 

Well that's OK then. A pint sized Thai girl has the strength to hold a lion back. Totally safe

 

Let's hope it wises up and eats her. One less idiot in the gene pool.

How can something that can eat you be considered a pet? In a year or so that thing will be dangerous.

16 minutes ago, Muzzique said:

 

Well that's OK then. A pint sized Thai girl has the strength to hold a lion back. Totally safe

 

 

Sawangjit is a pint sized girl ?

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

The guy i saw in the white Bentley and later in his look at me Jeep looked like a black guy

 

U sound racist AF.

Many people are dark of the sun.

5 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Sawangjit is a pint sized girl ?

 

Sorry, I meant 500ml... My mistake... metric

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Not sure what all the fuss is about, I take my pet lion out in my Bentley convertible daily 🤣

 

Your cat on a honda Wave...but close enough..

A sticker on the Bentley said ” my other CAT is a jaguar ”..

Playing on his stereo was the Eagles " you can't hide your lion's eyes.." 🎶

 

The economy version

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

However, the lion itself seemed calm and domesticated and appeared to have a collar and leash.

Well, just in case there will be an accident they might say: We're so sorry. He never did it before. 

It's a crime to hold him in private. He is to stay in a better environment. 

And this Hi-So couple should be fined. 50.000 Baht is a joke. Seize his car!!!! (I'm not envy, am I?)🙏

4 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

The lion is in Bentley, go figure.....

Talk about wearing your insecurity on your sleeve.... so utterly stupid, whether legal or not.

2 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

Unfortunately, probably already has been declawed by selfish owners.

Owners will probably lose interest eventually and have it shot on a fake hunt by other rich a-holes.

If the cat is going to be clambering around over the aniline hides seats in the Bentley, I would like to think so!

3 minutes ago, Sig said:

Talk about wearing your insecurity on your sleeve.... so utterly stupid, whether legal or not.

We talking bout the Thai lady who owns the cat or the Indian driver ?

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

We talking bout the Thai lady who owns the cat or the Indian driver ?

I'd say both. She let him have access to the cat (an assumption, but probable) and may have let him take it out in the car too. She likely also knew the cat was not where she was licensed to have the animal or transported it herself. Whether it is intelligent to keep such an animal is a debatable issue. But the stupidity and insecurity shouts loud and clear on MANY levels.

I remember seeing one for sale in a Thai exotic pets group for a million baht years and years ago. You can buy caracals from a breeder in Bangkok too. If you wanted a lion I don't think it would be difficult to sort out. Not ideal though having a lion in the condo.