Tiger Temple, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Nestled away from the outside world, located approximately 125 miles west of Bangkok, in the province of Kanchanaburi, exists one of the most surprising and fascinating temples that anyone could ever imagine. 

Welcome to the incredible Tiger Temple, which is also known as the “Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno Forest Monastery”. This temple has been a refuge for endangered Indo-Chinese tigers since 1999. Here you will find at least 10 majestic tigers frolicking and having fun with Buddhist monks as if the tigers were domestic house cats!  

Once you arrive at the temple, you are surrounded by twenty acres of forested land and gorgeous scenery. The entrance fee is only 300 baht (less than $10 USD), which includes a small book where you can find a short description about the personality of each of the tigers. You will be enthralled by tigers “Lightning” and “Storm” as they wrestle each other playfully and exude their inquisitive nature and strength.

Observe how the Buddhist monks, who are the guardians and protectors of these confident and exquisitely beautiful animals, take them for walks on leashes around the Temple’s forest, and enjoy how “Great Sky”- the tiger, poses for the cameras! Even though tigers are known to be ferocious predators, these tigers have been brought up with lots of love, compassion and human interaction since they were young cubs. They co-exist with the monks and enjoy being pet by people. Some of them were orphan cubs that were rescued by the monks from poachers whereas other tigers were actually born and bred at the temple.

These magnificent animals accept humans as a normal part of daily life and do not fear them. They are also not drugged or sedated in any way. The monks of the temple believe that the tigers also follow traditional Buddhist concepts and are an integral part of a large family, which include wild boars, horses, pigs, cows, water buffalo, and peacocks.
 

Between 1:30pm and 4:30pm, come and experience the incredibly soft touch of a tiger’s smooth fur as you enter the gully below to watch these awe-inspiring creatures feast! Take photographs with one of the most majestic animals on earth and stare into their captivating eyes as you have the chance meet them face-to-face. Being able to touch one of these powerful yet graceful animals is definitely a thrilling experience that you will never forget!