News Lifestyle In Thailand, a close encounter with tigers (see pics)

In Thailand, a close encounter with tigers (see pics)

Sai Yok (Thailand): It is certainly not routine when one is able to lie down with a tiger, pat it on its head, have a tiger's head on your lap, play with young tigers or



"One feels scared and excited about the whole experience. You are doing all this with the tigers, even touching them, without any barriers or fences," Tushaar, a 11-year-old visitor from India, told IANS with a degree of awe.

The complex, spread over several acres of natural forested area in western Thailand, not far from the Myanmar border, is home to not only tigers but other wildlife like deers, wild boars, water buffalos and gibbons, among others. The monastery was established in 1994 but the tigers came a little later.

Though the monastery has faced criticism and scrutiny about the tigers being drugged, those who manage the complex strongly refute this.