Paws for thought at Thailands Tiger Temple Part_1



Wat Pa Luangta Bua Mahasampanno, known to the world (and the worldly) as the Tiger Temple, is a unique monastery in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province. Here, Theravada Buddhist monks in ochre robes walk the eight-fold path to salvation with tigers trotting placidly at their heels. They go about this business with smug St-Francis-of-Assisi-like nonchalance. A sign outside informs us that this is a center for conservation. That claim is put to test as you walk in, and remains unresolved as we walk out. 









 A tiger pants in the heat at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.





 A monk walks with a tiger cub at the Tiger Temple.





 A house-sized concrete sculpture of a tiger and its cub greet visitors to the Tiger Temple.





 Trigger-happy visitors crowd at the gate to photograph the cats as they are taken to the exhibition arena.





 A handler rests on a sleeping tiger's rump at the Tiger Temple.





 A visitor looks at a wall of trophy photos taken by tourists.





 Tiger Temple merchandise on display.





 A monk bares a tiger's maw to display its sharp canines.





 It's clear that the monks love their tigers, but keeping them captive is questionable.








 A handler pulls a tiger's tail to control it. This could result in spinal injuries.





 


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