Pattaya — Officials and veterinarians from the Office of Conservation Area 2 (Sri Racha) visited the actual owner of a lion cub, which was spotted sitting in an open-top Bentley driven by a foreigner around Pattaya earlier this week.

The visit took place at 6 PM on January 24th, following the viral video of the lion. According to officials, a Thai woman, identified only as Ms. Pupe, 38, came out to declare ownership of the lion. She showed the officers the legal ownership documents and let the veterinarians inspect the animal. After a 30-minute health examination, the lion was found to be in good health, and veterinarians also found a microchip on its right shoulder, required by Thai law.

 

Mr. Kongkiat Temluan, Director of the Office of Conservation Area 2, clarified that lions fall under the category of controlled wild animals (Type A), and its possession is permissible only with a valid license. The microchip confirming the lion’s identity was found to be accurate and in line with the documents at the Ban Pong Administrative Office in Ratchaburi province, confirming its legal status.

 

Nevertheless, Mr. Kongkiat stated that Ms. Pupe is not authorized to relocate the lion. He said she would have to notify the Sri Racha Administrative Office first to conduct an inspection at the location where the lion will be housed. Additionally, it is inappropriate to transport the lion, regardless of it being a cub or on a leash, in a convertible vehicle because the lion can still pose danger to people in the vicinity and requires controlled containment and transportation, Mr. Kongkiat added.

 

Meanwhile, Ms. Pupe stated that she works in real estate. She said her foreign friend bought the lion for her as a gift as they shared an interest in exotic animals.

 

By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-01-25

 

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The Lion Queen.

Then go on safari nd donate money for their protection. Unbelievable. People can't even keep dog's safely without them killing innocent members of the public. What could go wrong and lady, your moral compass is way off.

strange story, the Sri Lankan man drives around Pattaya in the white open top Bentley and white open top jeep obviously seeking attention, that wasn't enough so got a lion, then suddenly leaves the country

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Additionally, it is inappropriate to transport the lion, regardless of it being a cub or on a leash, in a convertible vehicle because the lion can still pose danger to people in the vicinity and requires controlled containment and transportation,

Nothing like showing off your status

13 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

strange story, the Sri Lankan man drives around Pattaya in the white open top Bentley and white open top jeep obviously seeking attention, that wasn't enough so got a lion, then suddenly leaves the country

Yes, when he realized he had created a fuss and the police wanted to talk with him.... probably wise and would save him a good amount of money!

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Additionally, it is inappropriate to transport the lion, regardless of it being a cub or on a leash, in a convertible vehicle because the lion can still pose danger to people in the vicinity and requires controlled containment and transportation, Mr. Kongkiat added.

 

So now that she has broken the law, I would suggest the lion cub be taken away from her and she be banned from owning such pets here in the future as we don't want to read 2 years down the track that she was up to it again, this time the lion got out of the car and mauled someone to death.

 

But no doubt money will exchange hands and the said posing of danger to the public will go away, until, perhaps one day ?

Meanwhile , on a parallel planet through a wormhole in space , a Lion cub has been arrested for driving around in an open top Straightly with a chained Sri Lankan in the backseat without the correct paperwork.

28 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Yes, when he realized he had created a fuss and the police wanted to talk with him.... probably wise and would save him a good amount of money!

Correct, but now can he come back?

According to the BBC:

"Police were also reportedly looking to charge the Sri Lankan man, who had kept the lion in his rented pool villa, but were unable to as he is no longer in Thailand. He was due to be charged with bringing a controlled wild animal into public places, which carries jail time of up to six months and a fine of 50,000 baht. "

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68091153

13 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Correct, but now can he come back?

According to the BBC:

"Police were also reportedly looking to charge the Sri Lankan man, who had kept the lion in his rented pool villa, but were unable to as he is no longer in Thailand. He was due to be charged with bringing a controlled wild animal into public places, which carries jail time of up to six months and a fine of 50,000 baht. "

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68091153

I wish my neighbour would keep lions in his villa, rather than the several dogs that just barked all night and will do so much of the day!

On 1/25/2024 at 5:35 AM, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Ms. Pupe stated that she works in real estate. She said her foreign friend bought the lion for her as a gift as they shared an interest in exotic animals.

His anaconda is greatly admired.