Tiger Temple with kids?
 

Does anyone know what the age/size guidelines are for kids to visit the tiger temple?

I had always thought the whole tiger temple thing was a bit of a sham....but some recent people have posted recently that it was a good experience. I'm tentatively looking into things to do with kids, who will be 11&12 next year.

Thanks

I visited the Tiger Temple in November and I was very impressed. I had also read conflicting reports about this but decided to check it out for myself.

The monks take in the cubs when they are cubs after they have become victims of poachers. They also take in many other animals so you will see wild pigs, some type of deer and also a beautiful bear.

All the animals seem very healthy and alert.

Please excuse my spastic posting: "recent people have posted recently"

From those who have visited, did anyone see kids there, or have a sense if they don't allow kids or those who are small enough to be a tasty tiger tidbit?

When we were there we did not see any children.

That was in December 2005.

I wish I could remember. I just couldn't take my eyes off the beautiful cats long enough to notice!

Google for the website. You may be able to find out if kids are allowed.

We were there in early Nov '06 and I remember commenting to my hubby that there were no kids and wondering if their was some sort of restriction. As eurotraveller suggests do a search for their web site and see if you can send them an email directly to find out from them if it is not stated on the site.
I too had big reservations about going there but by chance on the flight over there was a Discovery channel show on the plane about it and it peaked my interest. I am really glad we went.
Happy & safe travels
J

This is their web site I believe
http://www.tigertemple.org/Eng/index.php#

Thanks Jules, I appreciate your help. I did find that website...but strangely no details regarding visits (opening times, restrictions, etc).
When it comes closer to the time of my trip (fingers crossed), I'll ask Tong (the famous guide).

Ok, I really had to search on the website, but I did find some details.
Just thought I would post, in case someone else does a search here.

Visiting hours:

The monastery is open to the public from 8am to 4.30pm. However, not much happens in the morning. The best time to visit the temple is between 12.30pm and 4pm. If you arrive just before 4.30pm you will probably miss the opportunity to pet the tigers in the canyon.

The tiger encounter:

At 1pm we walk tigers to the canyon and the visitors are given a chance to walk with the last tiger and to have their photos taken. On arriving to the canyon the visitors are taken inside one person at a time where they have an opportunity to pet a tiger and have their photos taken by our staff. Tigers remain in the canyon until approximately 4pm. Shortly after 4pm we take the tigers back to their cages for the night and the visitors are given another opportunity to walk with the last tiger and to have their photos taken.

Warning:

Please do not wear any bright colored clothes, especially red. You will not be able to approach the tigers if you wear a bright outfit.

When we visited the Tiger Temple a year ago, there were children in our group, a little younger than yours. The parents needed to sign releases before they were allowed to enter the grounds.

There was a group of actors filming when I visited, amongst whom was a child whom I guess to be between 5-8 years old.

Not sure what happened, but I heard this blood curdling growl followed by screams and I turned to see people running and someone snatching the child away from the vicinity of the tiger.

It didn't seem like anyone got hurt, but my heart still skips a beat remembering the tiger's roar.

I think it's also important to take the temperament of the kids into consideration, and hopefully they won't be tempted to try anything silly.

I was surprised to find myself scared witless when I finally got to approach the tigers (before the incident I mention above). All of a sudden the potential danger became very clear to me.

I thought all visitors had to sign the release form at the gate.

We just returned from our annual Thailand trip and visited the Tiger Temple two weeks ago. We did not see any kids that I recall although the guides who take you in one at a time to take pictures of the tigers seemed to me like they were teenagers.

The clothing warning is spot on -- my wife was wearing a pink polo so they wouldn't let her in. We had to go to a market and buy some white tee shirts.

Also, they have an entrance fee of 300B per person. We had arrived around 1 pm after the tigers had just been fed and most of them were asleep when we posed with them.

The other parts of the temple were fun too. There were other animals there after you left the Tiger Canyon. Animals such as wild boar, deer, water buffalo and cows roamed freely and were so docile, you could literally walk right up to them.

There is no freaking way I'd do something so dangerous as go to that Tiger Temple, and with children? uh, I don't THINK so! When I think of that place, all I think of are the liability issues-going in to an enclosure one by one to pet a wild tiger? Huh? Yeah, well, I guess if you don't mind ending up having your arm or other body parts torn off and chomped on as a tiger snack it would be a great experience. The most predictable thing about wild tigers is that they are unpredictable-no matter how comfortable they are in their surroundings. No thanks-I don't need that kind of up close and personal "thrill" experience when I'm on the other side of the world, that's for sure.

cruisinred: What did you decide regarding taking your kids here? I had the same question (kids are 9 and 11) and Tong said it would be okay to bring kids (July 2007). But now I'm wondering if we should do something else instead.

Visited early Aug & don't recall seeing kids in the groups who came through except for our 3 children aged 15, 13, & 9. They had a great time with the animals. Thankfully, we left with all limbs in place grateful for the pleasant experience. Tong was very specific about giving instructions on being prepared as noted in her email before our trip-
no red outfits, no standing behind the animals ( you can get sprayed !!!), no sudden movements, walking alongside the animal etc etc etc.

Being with Tong allowed the exclusive opportunity to visit the Black Asian Bear named BamBam. Tong bought bags & bags of fruit & milk tabs for the bear & we got lots of photos as well. Here is the link to our Trip Report on our time in BKK with photos as well. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

Kids enjoyed our time on the Loy Nova cruise, Siam Niramit show, SWIMMING in Lebua's pool, as well as in the sea by the Fisherman's Village, Floating Market was a winner as was another highlight- RIding & bathing the elephants at the Kanchanaburi Elephant Camp- Tong arranged for all these !!!

Glad we got that chance to visit Tiget Temple. Will there be a second visit to see the animals when we return to Thailand in March '08? Probably not- there's much more of Thailand there is to explore.

These are wild predatory animals at heart and if Roy of "Siegfried and Roy" can get mauled then I would never take a child or an uninformed adult near the Tigers.

Go see the Tigers but it will be much safer if you don't pet them and give yourself some distant from them. Why tempt fate?

I visited in August 2007. There were children there. When you approach the tigers you are escorted by a volunteer who instructs you on how to approach, kneel down and touch the tiger. There are about ten tigers all around the area and I got to be with five of them, under the supervision of the helper. Another volunteer takes your camera and photographs. I have about a dozen photos which show me frightened at first and then more relaxed. After my encounter I sat on a rock and observed. It is an experience I would like to do again. This is included in the 300Baht admission. If you want to have a photo with the tiger resting his head in your lap, that is 1000Baht extra. I didn't do that because I was so awe struck by the tigers that I was satisfied with just touching them. You can also touch the baby tigers under the supervision of a monk and photograph. Most of the tigers are asleep as they have just been fed. They are fed cooked chicken and cat food so that according to the monks they don't acquire the tast of blood. There are other animals roaming loose and they all seem to coexist peacefully.
I can e-mail my photos if anyone is interested.