Phuket police find no new lion attack after viral photo

Chalong police found no evidence of a recent lion attack after inspecting two wildlife businesses in Phuket on 11 August 2026, following the circulation of photos claiming that a Chinese tourist had been injured.

Police Colonel Surasak Jaidee, superintendent of Chalong Police Station, led the inspection at Lion Cafe in Chalong, Mueang Phuket, at 4pm. Officers found that the business had a valid operating licence and that its two lions had ownership documents and current vaccination records.

The records showed that both animals had been vaccinated against rabies and tetanus, with certification from Happy Paws Animal Hospital, police said.

Officers found no indication that the incident shown in the circulating image had taken place recently. The cafe manager told police that the photograph was old, dating from around December 2025, and did not depict a current event.

The inspection followed reports that a Chinese tourist had been bitten on the arm by a lion cub during a paid interaction session at a Phuket lion cafe. The business involved was not named in those reports. The reports alleged that staff treated the wound with iodine and that the tourist later paid for rabies vaccinations after developing a mild fever and soreness. The account circulated widely on Chinese social media platforms.

Police also inspected Lion Land Phuket in the same subdistrict. The business had a valid public-health hazardous-business licence from Chalong Subdistrict Municipality, and its lions were properly documented, according to the report.

Phuket Tourist Police separately confirmed that the businesses’ trade registrations, public-health hazardous-business licences and lion vaccination records were in order.

Officers instructed staff to monitor the animals’ behaviour and mood, supervise interactions with customers and follow proper procedures when tourists handle or interact with the lions.

Lions are classified as controlled wildlife under Thailand’s Wild Animal Conservation Act. Chalong police said the inspections were intended to verify the facts and prevent misunderstanding caused by images circulating online.