At Thailand's Tiger Temple, beware the naughty ones

By Russell Blinch

KANCHANABURI, Thailand (Reuters Life!) - The monk in his flowing orange robe looked the picture of serenity as he walked along the path holding the giant tiger by a leash.

The gaggle of tourists that thronged behind him was undertandably giddy at the chance of being up close and personal with one of the world's most magnificent, and dangerous, beasts.

The adult tiger was the last of about dozen that had been led down to a small rock canyon where they would bask in the sun and take part in very different kind of photo opportunity.

The Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno, or Tiger Temple, is a petting zoo with a difference.

Tourists are flocking to the temple northwest of Bangkok to pet, and even cuddle, the great striped beasts. They can also have their pictures taken with each tiger to prove their bravery.

"The monastery is not only for man but for all animals who seek the peacefulness," reads the Buddhist temple's brochure.

The monastery was set up in 1994 by abbot Pra Acharn Phoosit (Chan) Khantitharo with the aim of promoting Buddhism and conserving forests and wildlife.

The monastery took in its first tiger in 1997 when border police brought a young orphaned cub, Athiphat Srimanee, the temple's project manager, told Reuters.  Continued...