New lion cub café in Bang Tao defended amid welfare concerns
The owner of a newly opened Bang Tao lion cub café says the animals are well cared for, as critics question their use as tourist attractions.
A new lion cub café in Bang Tao has prompted renewed concerns about the commercial use of wild animals as tourist attractions.
Lion Cub Cafe, near Laguna, opened about two weeks ago and currently houses one lion cub, aged about two months, owner Peeraphat Thongna told The Phuket News.
Thongna acknowledged that some people oppose keeping lion cubs in captivity for commercial purposes. He said he understood those concerns but believed the issue should be viewed from different perspectives.
“We take good care of them and provide proper food,” he said, adding that he did not want people to view the business only negatively.
Thongna said the Bang Tao branch was opened in response to customer demand. He said it was particularly popular with tourists from Russia and India who wanted to see the lion.
He also rejected suggestions that his businesses involved Chinese investment or nominee arrangements, insisting they were entirely Thai-owned.
Thongna also owns Lion Land Phuket in Chalong and Lion Phuket Cafe on Krabi Road in Phuket Town. Lion Phuket operates 19 lions across its Phuket businesses, with three keepers assigned to the Bang Tao cub, according to details provided about the operations.
