A thrilling vacation at Thailand’s Tiger Kingdom in Phuket turned into a frightening ordeal for an Indian tourist. This comes after a tiger attacked him while he was attempting to take a selfie. The whole incident was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
The horrifying incident has reignited debates about the ethics and safety of wildlife tourism.
What happened?
In the viral footage, the Indian tourist is seen crouching next to a chained tiger. The command of the chain was with the tourist. However, a trainer was standing nearby holding a stick. In a sudden turn of events, the tiger lashed out at the tourist. This caused panic among visitors as screams filled the air.
The video ends amidst the chaos, leaving viewers shocked. According to reports, the tourist’s identity has not yet been confirmed. So far, there has been no official update on his condition. However, social media reports indicate he survived with minor injuries.
A video of the incident was posted by X user Sidharth Shukla with the caption: “Apparently an Indian man was attacked by a tiger in Thailand. This is one of those places where they keep tigers like pets and people can take selfies, feed them etc etc.”
Thailand’s Tiger Kingdom
The Tiger Kingdom is a popular tourist attraction in Thailand. The Kingdom allows visitors close interactions with tigers. This experience includes petting, feeding, and photo opportunities. Critics, however, have long accused the facility of sedating the animals to keep them docile for tourist selfies.
This raises serious concerns about both animal welfare and human safety.
Social Media reacts
A user wrote on social media, “Cats generally do not like being petted on the lower (back) body especially near butts. This man was petting the tiger continuously near the above mentioned body area which must have frustrated the tiger. Final straw was when the man cupped it for a photo.”
“Always avoid such stunts. Animals are animals. Be good and kind to them. But don’t expect them to return the favour because they are animals,” a user said.
On the other hand, many social media users expressed concern and criticism following the attack. Some noted that cats generally dislike being petted near their lower back or rear. They suggest the tiger’s agitation may have been provoked by the tourist’s actions.
“My immediate reaction to this video was a chilling realization: that could have been me! This chilling video exposes a dangerous trend: many Indian tourists are lured into risky photo-ops with tigers in Thailand, often due to relentless peer pressure. These wild animals are heavily drugged to appear docile, but their true nature cannot be tamed. As the sedation fades, a tiger can turn violent, posing a grave threat,” while another commented.
Another user added, “Such reckless ventures can quickly become deadly, turning an exciting moment into a tragic end. Responsible travel demands caution and respect for the untamed power of wildlife.”
Calls for Stricter regulation
In order to avoid such risky encounters, the incident has stoked calls for stronger laws and more oversight of wildlife tourist attractions. Commenters underlined the importance of responsible travel habits that honor the erratic nature of wildlife and advised tourists to stay away from close encounters with wild animals.
