Lion spotted in the backseat of a Bentley: Shocking video prompts police investigation in Thailand
Though owning a lion in Thailand is legal, the video of this wild animal seated in the back of a white Bentley convertible has drawn the attention of locals, tourists, and the police.
4:32 AM EST, January 26, 2024
A lion takes a tour in a convertible
The recordings, shared on Facebook among other platforms, depict a chained lion being transported through the streets of the seaside resort of Pattaya in the back seat of a luxury car. The driver was a Sri Lankan citizen, while the lion's owner, Swangjit Kosoongern, was an associate of the driver.
Featuring prominently under the post were comments such as: "It's unbelievable, what narcissistic idiots roam this planet," "Nothing in this world surprises me anymore," "They have too much money," and "Poor animal." "It's just a big kitty," - joked another user.
Potential consequences
The Thai police promptly launched an investigation into the incident. Although owning a lion in Thailand is legal, it must be officially registered. Police claim the animal's owner, Sawangjit, bought the lion from someone without the necessary permissions.
The woman may potentially face charges of possessing a wild animal without the necessary permit, resulting in a sentence of up to a year in prison and a fine of up to 100,000 baht (about $3,059). The Sri Lankan man who paraded the wild animal in public could also be held accountable and face up to six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 baht (about $1,530).
According to Thai authorities, private owners currently hold 224 legally registered lions.
Source: PAP/Facebook
