Phuket Lion Café Inspected After Tourist Bitten by Cub
Phuket’s Tourist Assistance Centre inspected a lion café after a Chinese tourist was bitten by a cub, prompting renewed calls for safety at animal-themed attractions
Key Points
- 1Phuket’s Tourist Assistance Centre inspected a lion café after a tourist was bitten
- 2The incident involved a Chinese visitor and a lion cub named Caesar during Chinese New Year
- 3The café staff reported the tourist sustained only a minor abrasion and received first aid
- 4All lions at the venue were confirmed vaccinated by staff
- 5CCTV footage of the incident was unavailable as recordings had been deleted
Authorities in Phuket have inspected a popular lion café in Chalong district following reports that a Chinese tourist was bitten by a lion cub earlier this year. The Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) conducted the inspection and questioned staff about the incident, which resurfaced on social media and raised concerns about visitor safety at animal-themed attractions
Staff at the café confirmed to TAC officers that a Chinese guest was bitten during the Chinese New Year period, suffering only a minor abrasion that was treated immediately with first aid. The lion involved was identified as a small cub named Caesar. “All lions at the venue had been vaccinated,” staff assured, though the café could not provide CCTV footage of the incident as the recordings were no longer available
As animal encounters remain popular among tourists in Thailand, this case highlights the importance of rigorous safety measures and clear communication at such venues. For Koh Samui visitors considering similar experiences, it's a reminder to check the safety credentials and animal welfare standards before visiting interactive animal cafés
