If you like to watch the life of animals, we recommend that while relaxing in Phuket, be sure to visit Tiger Kingdom Phuket - an amazing park that opened on the island in 2013. Everyone can not only admire the graceful striped cats, but also pet them.
Animals of different ages live in the park, from babies to adult predators. They are peaceful and, according to the creators of the complex, do not pose a danger to humans. They are taken care of in the park, they have been trained since birth, so tigers are used to human society. The Kingdom of the Tigers in Phuket is a vivid example of the perfect combination of a nature reserve with a preserved animal habitat and tourist attraction.
The income of the park goes to breeding predators in captivity. Unfortunately, the range of these animals in Thailand is steadily declining every year.
Kingdom of the tigers in Phuket: photos and description
The park is a branch of the monastery, which is located in the province of Kanchanaburi, in the north of the country. Once the locals found a tiny, defenseless tiger cub and brought him to the monastery. The monks liked the role of educators and friends of predators.
At the entrance to Tiger Kingdom Phuket, tourists are asked to decide which animals they want to see in the first place. Many visitors begin their inspection from the enclosures where newborn babies or older cubs live. The creators of the park recommend visiting several categories of animals. To do this, buy complex tickets.
Before visiting the enclosures, guests are asked to sign a document that removes responsibility for your life and health from Tiger Kingdom Phuket employees. Animals can be visited in a live queue. Your entry ticket is marked with a serial number. After it is displayed on the screen of a TV hanging at the entrance, you can go to the territory.
Behavior rules
Waiting for your turn, you will have time to familiarize yourself with the rules of Tiger Kingdom Phuket. You will find all instructions at the entrance. They are printed in Russian.
- Leave bags and other things in special lockers.
- Only a camera is allowed in the cage, but with the flash turned off.
- To visit the cubs, you need to wear special shoes and wash your hands.
- Young visitors below 140 cm tall are only allowed in the enclosure with the smallest animals.
- Do not stroke the animals on the front legs and head, talk loudly, tease them, pick up tiger cubs and let them lick your hands.
- Drinking people are not allowed in open-air cages.
In the cattery, tigers are quite friendly, reminiscent of domestic cats in their habits: they also stretch, like to sleep and play. But unlike their domesticated relatives, predators are not averse to splashing around in the pool.
Is this communication safe?
As the park workers explain, the animals living in it were raised in a nursery, they were never free and probably do not suspect that they are predators. From birth they are trained and they are very accustomed to the presence of man. In addition, a Tiger Kingdom employee is always in the cage with visitors to the park. Nevertheless, safety rules must be strictly observed.
According to statistics, during the existence of the park there was a single incident of attack, moreover, through the fault of a tourist. Local media wrote that a tourist from Australia, a rather obese man, rising, grabbed his hands on a park employee. The tiger considered this an attack on the owner and bit the unlucky visitor. The tourist escaped with minor injuries, and in an interview later admitted that he believes that he himself provoked the animal. He plans to visit the nursery in Phuket again.
Reviews of Tiger Kingdom Phuket often express the opinion that animals are injected with tranquilizers, so they are in a sleepy state and they do not know aggression. The organizers of the park refute this version and explain the peaceful nature of their pets by creating excellent living conditions for them. Sleep up to 18 hours a day is laid in them by nature itself.
A restaurant
If you feel hungry while visiting the park, you can visit the excellent restaurant in the nursery. A buffet with Japanese, Thai and European dishes is served here at 11:00. Those who wish can order any dish from the menu.
Prices
The ticket price depends on which tigers you want to visit:
- Adult animal - 800 baht (1656 rubles).
- Young tiger - 800 baht.
- Tigers - 900 baht (1865 rubles).
- A cage with newborn babies - 1000 baht (2070 rubles).
Opening hours
The park is open daily without a break and days off. He waits for guests from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kingdom of the tigers in Phuket: how to get there?
The famous park is located in the Kathu area. A blue bus leaves from Patong Beach for the Patong – Phuket Town route. By taxi or tuk-tuk you can get to other beaches.
You can also book an excursion to the unusual Kingdom of the Tigers. In this case, the guide will pick you up from the hotel and then bring you back. The price of such an excursion will cost you 900 baht. This price includes a ticket to visit the big tiger.
Kingdom of the Tigers in Phuket: visitor reviews
The animals in the park are undoubtedly very beautiful and well-groomed. True, many are embarrassed that they are sleepy. We have already talked about this, and a similar state is normal for these predators. Kingdom workers are allowed to take photos and cuddle with three animals in each category. But, of course, adult tigers make a huge impression. The delight and tenderness cause the kids.
Many people think that visiting the park is quite expensive. Together, it will cost an average of 3200 baht (6624 in rubles at the current rate). In 20 minutes it is a little expensive. The advantages of the park include:
- Beautiful and well-groomed animals.
- Friendly and sociable staff.
- Memo with the rules for the treatment of tigers in different languages.
By cons include:
- Lack of professional photography or instant photography. Allowed to take photos only on gadgets.
- Souvenirs with tigers are expensive.
- Only tiger cubs can be visited with children; animals are not allowed in open-air cages with adult animals.
- They are not always allowed to feed cubs, although the rules provide for such a service.
- Only Amur tigers are represented in the Kingdom; I would also like to see white ones.
A few words in conclusion
Despite these shortcomings or shortcomings, thousands of tourists from all over the world visiting Phuket are very pleased to get to know the Kingdom of the Tigers. If you want to stroke a real striped handsome man, take spectacular photos with him, then visit the Kingdom to have your own opinion about the unique complex. You will have the opportunity to get to know better the striped cats, stroke them, observe their habits. Most visitors believe that you are unlikely to experience such emotions somewhere, and the memories of an amazing excursion will remain with you for a long time.