Report Lions Roaring in Thailand: TikToker's Pets Spark Controversy

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Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In the heart of Chiang Mai, behind a seemingly ordinary car repair shop, resides a unique and controversial ménage. Tharnuwarht Plengkemratch, a rising TikTok star with nearly three million followers, keeps an unusual set of pets: two lions and a striking 200-kilogramme lion-tiger hybrid affectionately named Big George. This vibrant display of exotic pet ownership raises eyebrows and alarms in equal measure across Thailand.

 

A Growing Trend

 

Lions as pets aren't a rarity in Thailand, where owning these majestic creatures is perfectly legal. The nation's captive lion population is skyrocketing, now nearing 500, housed variously in homes, zoos, breeding farms, and pet cafés. Tharnuwarht, an advocate for these mighty felines, shares his experiences on social media, portraying the creatures as playful, affectionate companions akin to dogs and cats.

 

“I wanted to show people... that lions can actually bond well with humans,” he insists. Yet, despite the intimate bond he claims, he approaches Big George with caution, mindful of the liger's immense power.

 

Rising Concerns

 

This trend, however, is fraught with implications. Conservationists warn it endangers both animals and people, placing immense pressure on regulatory authorities. Tom Taylor from the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand describes the situation as "absolute madness," foreseeing potential chaos if regulations aren't tightened.

 

The law currently mandates that lions be registered and microchipped, with movement notifications required. Nonetheless, there are no limits on breeding, nor regulations governing hybrids like ligers. The regulations for reporting births of native species like tigers are stringent, but lion owners have a leisurely 60 days to report cubs. This loophole, experts argue, could facilitate illicit activities.

 

Dark Underbelly

 

While official data shows nearly 450 lions were recorded between 2018 and 2024, an unsettling 350 have mysteriously vanished from the radar. This could hint at dark possibilities, from unreported deaths to illicit trade. Insiders have disclosed clandestine cross-border trade involving live and dead lions, skirting the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permits.

 

In neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Laos, capture and trade have been reported, despite no legal imports being registered. In Thailand, a decrease in the import of lion parts raises uncomfortable questions about their present sources.

 

The Business of Lions

 

Pathamawadee Janpithak provides a lens into the business side of this trend. Once dealing in crocodiles, she shifted to lions as the value of reptilian trade diminished. Now, her operation centres on the breeding and selling of these majestic creatures. A lion cub sells for around 500,000 baht (approximately US$15,500), though increasing supply has driven prices down from peaks of 800,000 baht.

 

In Pathamawadee's facilities, the cycle of life and commerce unfolds as lions, including genetically vulnerable white cubs, are bred and sold. Buyers once readily purchased these exotic animals without much fuss, but recent regulatory demands complicate transactions. As she oversees her brood, she reflects on the shifting landscape of this peculiar trade.

 

A National Dilemma

 

The proliferation of pet lions challenges Thai authorities. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) faces the daunting task of regulating a growing issue. Though they aim to curb imports, focusing on domestic breeding, the rise in inbreeding has led to questions about the sustainability of lion populations.

 

Enforcement of existing regulations presents its own puzzle, as seized animals become the government’s responsibility, entailing substantial care costs. “There is a great deal of deliberation before intervening,” remarks Penthai Siriwat of WWF Thailand, highlighting the complex decision-making involved.

 

A Look Ahead

 

While some lion owners cite conservation to justify their actions, experts argue these captive lions will never grace the wild. Two lions, Khanom and Khanun, rescued from inappropriate conditions, now inhabit a DNP sanctuary, their lives a testament to the need for specialised care and attention.

 

With the possibility of regulatory review on the horizon, suggestions for stricter controls are under consideration. Yet, insights from DNP’s Sadudee Punpugdee suggest that an outright ban is unlikely. His candid advice for aspiring exotic pet owners: “Wild animals belong in the wild. There are plenty of other animals we can keep as pets.”

 

As Thailand grapples with this complex issue, the conversation around big cat ownership underscores a broader discourse on wildlife conservation, personal freedoms, and the responsibilities that come with exotic pet ownership. The world watches and wonders: what future awaits these magnificent creatures?

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-29

 

 

[Sir Dude]

Well, keeping lions as pets and having hybrid ligers, that shouldn't exist in nature, that just grows to a massive size, as the reason is that male lions have the growth boosting hormones but female tigers don't, so they get much bigger.... but cannot survive in nature for many reasons. This guy in the OP article is a huge case of "What could go wrong?". The authorities shouldn't letting there be a free-for-all about lions and tigers etc. and let novice breeders just go all yahoo and do what they want... bad idea and feeds the illegal wildlife trade.

[Will B Good]

 

 

Absolutely, bloody ridiculous.