For the jaded traveler who thinks they’ve seen and done it all, Thailand still has a surprise or two in store. For a chance to see wild tigers interacting with unsuspecting monks, head to Pha Luang Ta Bua Yannasampanno Monastery.
This charming forest monastery is located just 38 km from the resort town of Kanchanaburi. Led by Abbot Pha Acorn Chan, the Tiger Temple provides visitors with the unique opportunity to interact with adult tigers and perhaps play with tiger cubs as well.
visiting the tigers
Visitors arriving at the Tiger Temple in the afternoon can follow a path through the forest until they reach a canyon, where several large tigers lurk. Attendants gently guide visitors to the waiting tigers and tell them where to sit and stand to have their pictures taken.
Although tigers may appear tame, it is important to remember that they are wild animals. Each tiger tolerates certain parts of its body being touched and helpers are experts at reading the slightest cues from tigers to determine whether or not it is safe to approach. Even so, visitors are asked not to wear bright colors such as red and pink, as these can make the tigers aggressive.
One reason tigers may appear tamer than those normally seen in the wild is that Abbot Pha Acorn Chan and the other monks have hand-reared them from cubs.
Top tips for touching tigers:
- Approach the animal from behind.
- don’t look him in the eye
- don’t touch his head
- Do not engage in playful behavior.
- Don’t wear bright colors
The beginnings of the monastery as a tiger sanctuary
Pha Luang Ta Bua Yannasampanno Monastery started life as an ordinary forest monastery. However, the compassionate monks always provided food for the forest animals to eat and the monastery soon became known as a place of refuge for sick and starving animals.
However, all that changed about 10 years ago when a local taxidermist brought an injured tiger cub to the monastery. The taxidermist had been paid to kill and stuff the tiger cub, but he was unable to carry out the gruesome task, instead taking the cub to the monks for care.
Unfortunately the pup was too weak to survive and soon died. Soon after, however, a pair of healthy tiger cubs were brought to the monks for care and a new chapter in the monastery’s history began.
Poaching is common in the jungle surrounding Kanchanaburi and over the next several months several cubs were brought to the temple to be cared for by monks. The cubs’ mothers had been shot to death by poachers for their fur and the cubs were unable to fend for themselves.
expensive residents
Through their continued care and compassion, the monks were able to raise these tigers and calm their wild nature so they could be close to humans. Faced with the enormous costs of feeding several starving tigers each day, the monastery finally opened its doors to tourists so they could use the admission fees to cover food costs and create a better home for the powerful beasts in the future.
How to get to the tiger temple
Getting to Pha Luang Ta Bua Yannasampanno Monastery is relatively easy. Visitors to Kanchanaburi will note that several tour companies line the river and offer trips to the temple. These companies take tourists to the minibuses in the afternoon and drive them to the temple in time to see the tigers’ feeding and bathing in the afternoon, which lasts from 14:00 to 17:00. Those who prefer to travel independently can rent a motorbike in town and simply drive to the monastery following Highway 323 northwest.
Another option is to book a day trip to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok, which includes an early morning trip to a nearby floating market and a visit to the Tiger Temple before taking visitors back into the bright lights of the city to time for dinner.
