Tiger Temple

END of story, the tiger temple in Thailand is closed!!!
I’m feeling so sad, we went there not  just to play with the tigers but were amazed by the wildlife and the Thai monks that took care of all the animals.  I never expected them to be involved in any type illegal wildlife trade…
My review below was from passed years when we had such good memories about the tigers and the temple.

FYI: the 147 tigers will be relocated to national parks in other parts of Thailand, 6/1/2016.

Tiger Temple/ Wat Pa Luangta Bua, Kanchanaburi
วัดป่า หลวงตามหาบัว จ.กาญจนบุรี
Finally, I got to pet a live Tiger!!!

You will forget all the zoo’s that you’ve ever been…The Tiger temple is the biggest tourist stop in this region. Open Daily from 12.15-3.15pm , admission starts at 600 baht per person (คนไทย แสดงบัตรประชาชนเสียค่าบัตรสามร้อยบาท), but depending on the ‘experience’ you’d like, goes as high as 5,000 baht (options are availed inside by checking with one of the volunteers… such as cub feedings or tiger exercise) It’s more impressive than expensive!

If you can get to the temple before 1pm, you can start with the “Tiger Walk”, a great experience to walk a 500 # tiger to the Canyon.

Don’t worry, they have so many guides around you.

Just don’t stand behind the tiger, they have a tendency to spray (tiger musk) as they walk!
If you can’t get there by 1, you have to get there by 2pm (The ticket office closed after 2pm). Then start your walk with the first stop at Tiger Canyon where you can meet and take photos with the tigers.

There are 2 lines, first line is FREE and when you get to the front a volunteer will escort you (one at a time) to several tigers and take pictures (your camera) at no extra charge.

You probably get about 15-25 pictures in the regular line. This is available between 13.30-15.30 only.

The second line which is typically no line at all, is for special pictures.

This line will allow you to take a group photo with a tiger (your camera) as well as some special photos one on one with multiple tigers. Personally I think it’s worth it, for a 1000 THB (30 USD) you’ll have some pictures that you’ll frame and brag about for years, and the extra cash goes towards the upkeep of the Tigers.

The volunteer will come to hold your hand as you walk past and meet and great your Tiger (this also makes sure that you won’t run away from where you should stay).
Your volunteer will stop at each tiger and take pictures for you – No charge!

After you leave the canyon, there are another programs called “Exercise and Bathing” this is an extra charge of about 1000 baht for 45 minutes.

If you choose, you will have a chance to play, bath and exercise the tigers. They will give you some toys, so you can make the tiger jumps as high as you like!

This available during 13.30-15.30 but only 3 session a day, 10guest per session, so ask a volunteer as soon as you get in if you are interested.

One more cute experience program “Cub Feeding”, an amazing program for you to feed the baby tigers!

They will take you into Tiger Island where you will get up close and personal with the tiger cubs. You will spend 45 minutes with several youngest tiger cubs, to play and get AWESOME photos.

At the end of the “play time”, you will bottle feed the cubs. This is another extra charge of 1000 baht, available between 12.45-14.45 but only 4 session a day (6-8 guest per session).

There is an exclusive program called “The Morning Exercise Program” (Daily at 7.30am).

The morning exercise program is an opportunity for small groups of visitors to have an insider’s view into the life of the tiger at the tiger temple.

Guests will interact one on one with tigers of various ages and participate in a wide range of activities including: Bottle feeding cubs, breakfast with monks (and tigers), walking tiger of various ages, exercising tigers, hand feeding tigers, etc…

This package is 5,000 baht.

Did I mention that there are also water buffalo, horses, wild boar, and deer roaming the park? Make sure you keep an eye on where you are going and who you are sharing the path with… When I stopped walking to look around I got pushed by some water buffalo’s walking past me! But they are not aggressive, don’t worry! It’s just strange to be pushed by a buffalo and sniffed by a really big pig (boar)!

Also, you are NOT allowed to wear bright yellow, pink or orange T-Shirts, this annoys the tigers…Which isn’t a really good idea!

– For ladies, No short or MINI SKIRTS, No Singlet, sleeveless or strapless. Also NO wrap for upper or lower boday. Remember you will be in the temple – please be respectfully dressed for our monks.

Did I mention that you must sign a release form just in case you’re harmed by the many animals at the temple?? Well, if you follow their instruction, you will be safe!

AND DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!!!