Tiger temple scandal exposes the shadowy billion-dollar Asian trade

[rooster59]

Tiger temple scandal exposes the shadowy billion-dollar Asian trade

A week ago it cost 600 baht (£11.50) to visit the tiger temple in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province, west of the capital, Bangkok. Tourists moved by the spectacle of such splendid creatures living side by side with human beings could also pay the saffron-robed Buddhist monks an extra £15 to help feed the cubs, or to have their picture taken with an adult tiger’s head resting on their lap.

Along with nearly 250,000 people, Jay Z, Beyoncé and their daughter Blue Ivy posed with the animals last year, and marvelled that some of the world’s fiercest creatures could be so tame.

Full story: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/04/tiger-temple-scandal-billion-dollar-trade-china-thailand

The Guardian 2016-06-05

[daveAustin]

All about the baht. They were NOT monks.

Tourists moved by the spectacle of such splendid creatures living side by side with human beings

They were heavily sedated.

[ezzra]

Why are they still calling this place a temple? there isn't nothing holy in this place and the only thing

that those guys disguised as monks is worshiping the all might baht, would be much better if they

all disrobe and change the name to the temple of tigers zoo......

[slipperylobster]

..so sad, so pathetic. and right in plain view.

why did it take so long?

Especially sad for sucker tourists...who believed this was a sacred, religious thing....a special place for animals and humans to coexist.

Instead....drugged tigers and a highly profitable trade of protected species on international markets.

With China being the main consumer.

What in the ell is the matter with Asian people. They still believe in goofy traditions about bear paws, tiger penis and such. Witchcraft?

Evil? or just Dumb?

[Reigntax]

..so sad, so pathetic. and right in plain view.

why did it take so long?

Especially sad for sucker tourists...who believed this was a sacred, religious thing....a special place for animals and humans to coexist.

Instead....drugged tigers and a highly profitable trade of protected species on international markets.

With China being the main consumer.

What in the ell is the matter with Asian people. They still believe in goofy traditions about bear paws, tiger penis and such. Witchcraft?

Evil? or just Dumb?

They believe in whatever they are are told and taught not to think for themselves or question those in power. They are the product of the education system the military and hiso exactly want.

[The stuttering parrot]

As the days go by more and more shocking evidence is turning in the temple of horrors.

I can't believe that there is talk of even contemplating reopening this joint in any way shape or form.

I see the PM came out with some rhetoric but never went anywhere near far enough in seeking approval for the place to be destroyed .

So if it's allowed to stand turn into a museum like the opium museum in Chiang Saen and fill it with the memorabilia of what happened there with the full history and photos of all involved in cruelty and exploitation of the animals.

[meatboy]

"BEYOND BELIEVE" fact or fiction? events that appear to be impossible.

not so to them dressed in ORANGE ROBES.

[geriatrickid]

The question we all need to ask is what did we do to stop it.

I refused to go into the "temple" and I spoke out to discourage people I know going. It wasn't much, but I did my part. I know many westerners and Thais spoke out as well. The Thai people who worked hard to close the place down were threatened and some were attacked. Please remember the risks and the sacrifices these people made, because members of governments past and present made their lives difficult.

[shirtless]

Start taxing thse guys , they are a business not a religion

[The stuttering parrot]

What The hell is wrong with these Asian people believing in goofy traditions and witchcraft ?

Well it's Sunday and millions around the world are having a feed of human flesh and blood from the great sky wizard so traditions and superstitions aren't just restricted to Asians .

[jaltsc]

"The strong suspicion is that corrupt authorities and powerful businessmen are behind the billion-dollar trade in tiger parts."

How shocking!!! How could this be happening? There goes Thailand's reputation as one of the most humane nations on earth. I am sure no one would have ever guessed that Thailand and the rest of its neighbors are driven by by greed rather than the teachings of Buddha.

So, where's the news?

Real news would be if something effective was implemented to stop this corruption and greed.

Edited June 5, 2016 by jaltsc

[rkidlad]

My advice to any newbie here is to not always believe what you read or are told. Like the prime minister said yesterday 'think about things'. Usually people from the west are better equipped educationally to think for themselves.

Unfortunately, some people have their own agenda and nothing will stop them. They come here thinking 'Buddhism' is perfect and 'we' have it all wrong.

I thought for myself and thought 'wild animals like tigers shouldn't be touched like pet cats. They're not here for 'our' pleasure and they can't be reasoned with'. I'd go as far as calling it common sense.

Anyway, what Facebook and Twitter etc have taught us is that many of us are towering narcissists. That picture of us with a tiger in a country like Thailand is what really matters. You just have to selfishly justify in your head in order to get that attention. As one young tourist said to me when I told her tiger temples are bad places; "Oh no! Not the temple I went to. The Tigers were happy"

How do you if know a tiger's happy? You can see him smile (apparently)

[ratcatcher]

As the days go by more and more shocking evidence is turning in the temple of horrors.

I can't believe that there is talk of even contemplating reopening this joint in any way shape or form.

I see the PM came out with some rhetoric but never went anywhere near far enough in seeking approval for the place to be destroyed .

So if it's allowed to stand turn into a museum like the opium museum in Chiang Saen and fill it with the memorabilia of what happened there with the full history and photos of all involved in cruelty and exploitation of the animals.

"So if it's allowed to stand turn into a museum like the opium Tuol Sleng Genocide museum in Chiang Saen Phnom Penh and fill it with the memorabilia of what happened there with the full history and photos of all involved in cruelty and exploitation of the animals humans."

[halloween]

I have heard of one tiger product that is both ecologically sound and application effective. Tiger turds, the fresher the better, are apparently a great deterrent of tracker dogs hot on your trail. Drop a piece on your path, and the dogs suddenly lose all interest in that direction.

[tracker1]

Visitors marveled how tame the tigers were ! I had an ex girlfriend that was a ferocious tiger but when she was doped up on Valium or Mogadon she was a kitten ! Might answer the visitors question !!!!

[Berty100]

The question we all need to ask is what did we do to stop it.

I refused to go into the "temple" and I spoke out to discourage people I know going. It wasn't much, but I did my part. I know many westerners and Thais spoke out as well. The Thai people who worked hard to close the place down were threatened and some were attacked. Please remember the risks and the sacrifices these people made, because members of governments past and present made their lives difficult.

You refused to go into the temple, which I understand as that you went there, then refused to enter.

Begs the question why you went there then.

Probably you "refusal" had more to to with the etrance price than with your morals.

[clockman]

The monks were the protected species, not the animals!

[chainarong]

My advice to any newbie here is to not always believe what you read or are told. Like the prime minister said yesterday 'think about things'. Usually people from the west are better equipped educationally to think for themselves.

Unfortunately, some people have their own agenda and nothing will stop them. They come here thinking 'Buddhism' is perfect and 'we' have it all wrong.

I thought for myself and thought 'wild animals like tigers shouldn't be touched like pet cats. They're not here for 'our' pleasure and they can't be reasoned with'. I'd go as far as calling it common sense.

Anyway, what Facebook and Twitter etc have taught us is that many of us are towering narcissists. That picture of us with a tiger in a country like Thailand is what really matters. You just have to selfishly justify in your head in order to get that attention. As one young tourist said to me when I told her tiger temples are bad places; "Oh no! Not the temple I went to. The Tigers were happy"

How do you if know a tiger's happy? You can see him smile (apparently)

The general trend now is no human interaction with an wild animal , studies have found it places them under stress , that includes riding on their backs , nothing better than photo shooting them in their natural state or as close to it as you can, Ala zoo or special area.

[MaxLee]

..so sad, so pathetic. and right in plain view.

why did it take so long?

Especially sad for sucker tourists...who believed this was a sacred, religious thing....a special place for animals and humans to coexist.

Instead....drugged tigers and a highly profitable trade of protected species on international markets.

With China being the main consumer.

What in the ell is the matter with Asian people. They still believe in goofy traditions about bear paws, tiger penis and such. Witchcraft?

Evil? or just Dumb?

Just typically ultra old fashioned nationalist stubborn to save face and continue corruption business behind underground closed doors.

[lostmebike]

The monks were the protected species, not the animals!

Indeed.

I can hear the tune now ... "will the real monks, please stand up, please stand up"

Thai-Buddhism faces another scandal that will obviously disappear in a day or two that highlights how most some of these holy men use it's good name as merely a tool to make money.

This is pure evil, as said by many of my Thai friends. Not only were these monks taking 'donations' supposed for taking care of these amazing creatures in reality just to 'fatten them up' for a later profit but they are also guilty of breaking one of the 5 precepts, killing.

These 'holy men' are also guilty of greed. Actually, according not just to the public but to Buddha's teachings, they are the opposite of anything holy, they are evil!

Isn't it about time that those in power that claim to be interested in 'transparency', address this fundamentally-floored religious teachings that they follow here and start to understand that this take on Buddhism is far from pure and enlightening???

Everyday, up and down the country, millions have to 'wai' a Buddha statue but why? What is it for? What is it about? It's about time the powers at be reminded the country what Buddhism is all about and to reinforce this, the government should closely, rigorously regulate these places of 'worship'.

I do hope this issue doesn't just 'disappear.

[MaxLee]

The monks were the protected species, not the animals!

Indeed.

I can hear the tune now ... "will the real monks, please stand up, please stand up"

Thai-Buddhism faces another scandal that will obviously disappear in a day or two that highlights how most some of these holy men use it's good name as merely a tool to make money.

This is pure evil, as said by many of my Thai friends. Not only were these monks taking 'donations' supposed for taking care of these amazing creatures in reality just to 'fatten them up' for a later profit but they are also guilty of breaking one of the 5 precepts, killing.

These 'holy men' are also guilty of greed. Actually, according not just to the public but to Buddha's teachings, they are the opposite of anything holy, they are evil!

Isn't it about time that those in power that claim to be interested in 'transparency', address this fundamentally-floored religious teachings that they follow here and start to understand that this take on Buddhism is far from pure and enlightening???

Everyday, up and down the country, millions have to 'wai' a Buddha statue but why? What is it for? What is it about? It's about time the powers at be reminded the country what Buddhism is all about and to reinforce this, the government should closely, rigorously regulate these places of 'worship'.

I do hope this issue doesn't just 'disappear.

It will get swept under the carpet eventually. Too much public image aka Face at stake. Edited June 5, 2016 by MaxLee

[kannot]

Why are they still calling this place a temple? there isn't nothing holy in this place and the only thing

that those guys disguised as monks is worshiping the all might baht, would be much better if they

all disrobe and change the name to the temple of tigers zoo......

Theres nothing holy in any temples anywhere.

[dunque]

..so sad, so pathetic. and right in plain view.

why did it take so long?

Especially sad for sucker tourists...who believed this was a sacred, religious thing....a special place for animals and humans to coexist.

Instead....drugged tigers and a highly profitable trade of protected species on international markets.

With China being the main consumer.

What in the ell is the matter with Asian people. They still believe in goofy traditions about bear paws, tiger penis and such. Witchcraft?

Evil? or just Dumb?

There was a big event a few days ago in the UK where Thomas Becket's elbow was reinterred - just saying...

[dageurreotype]

Why are they still calling this place a temple? there isn't nothing holy in this place and the only thing

that those guys disguised as monks is worshiping the all might baht, would be much better if they

all disrobe and change the name to the temple of tigers zoo......

And speaking of zoos, good news!

Edwin Wiek ‏@EdwinWiek 15h15 hours ago

Zoo license of Tiger Temple Co. Ltd. to be REVOKED as their land documents have been forged, forest land only for agricultural purpose.

[Taffyfromflint]

I have heard of one tiger product that is both ecologically sound and application effective. Tiger turds, the fresher the better, are apparently a great deterrent of tracker dogs hot on your trail. Drop a piece on your path, and the dogs suddenly lose all interest in that direction.

watch this space cos someone will make a business out of that idea, just like selling cans of air to the chinese, the mind boggles.

[coma]

I don't know who's worse. These " monks" or the seriously head screwed, pathetic individuals that believe eating tiger penis is better than Viagra. Time for the believers [ mostly Chinese ] in this sort of wildlife body parts medicine to be given some retraining on how to be a human being.

Edited June 5, 2016 by coma

[Artisi]

..so sad, so pathetic. and right in plain view.

why did it take so long?

Especially sad for sucker tourists...who believed this was a sacred, religious thing....a special place for animals and humans to coexist.

Instead....drugged tigers and a highly profitable trade of protected species on international markets.

With China being the main consumer.

What in the ell is the matter with Asian people. They still believe in goofy traditions about bear paws, tiger penis and such. Witchcraft?

Evil? or just Dumb?

They believe in whatever they are are told and taught not to think for themselves or question those in power. They are the product of the education system the military and hiso exactly want.

What a load of BS, the use of animal products proceeds Thailand by a few thousand years, so absolutely SFA to do with the education system, military and hiso. Do everyone a favour and keep your nonsense posts to yourself.

[connda]

All about the baht. They were NOT monks.

Tourists moved by the spectacle of such splendid creatures living side by side with human beings

They were heavily sedated.

And well fed.

[connda]

The question we all need to ask is what did we do to stop it.

I refused to go into the "temple" and I spoke out to discourage people I know going. It wasn't much, but I did my part. I know many westerners and Thais spoke out as well. The Thai people who worked hard to close the place down were threatened and some were attacked. Please remember the risks and the sacrifices these people made, because members of governments past and present made their lives difficult.

"...we..." ???

You have a mouse in your pocket, mai?

[Fatboi]

The Thai government has 'confiscated' the 100+ animals at the temple, everyone can rest easy knowing they will be in good hands henceforth