[WATCH] Thai Woman Is Arrested After Videos Of Her Illegal Pet Lion On A Joyride Go Viral
The viral video raised concerns about the legality of owning such animals in Thailand.
By Laila Zain — 26 Jan 2024, 02:39 PM
Thai police have arrested a woman named Sawangjit Kosoongnern after her pet lion was seen joyriding in the streets of Pattaya in a white, open-top Bentley with a chain around its neck
The initial videos went viral on 21 January, sparking both outrage and amusement online, according to The Straits Times.
Sawangjit is not in the videos, and the person driving the cub in the Bentley is reported to be her friend.
While owning a lion in Thailand is not illegal, it must be officially registered. Authorities revealed that Sawangjit purchased the lion from a man in Nakhon Pathom province but failed to have the facility checked, rendering the transfer and ownership illegal.
She now faces charges of possessing a controlled wild animal without permission, with potential penalties of up to a year's imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 baht (RM13,260), reported by The Nation.
The person who sold the lion to Sawangjit is set to face charges for moving an animal without permission.
The person driving the lion is reported to be a Sri Lankan man, who also housed the cub in his rented pool villa
Authorities are unable to charge the man as he left the country following the uproar of the video. However, he potentially faces charges for bringing a controlled wild animal into public places, carrying a jail time of six months and a fine of 50,000 baht (RM6,630).
According to officials, there are currently 224 legally owned lions in Thailand.
