Tiger Temple

The Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua (full name: Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua Yannasampanno, Thai: วัด ป่า หลวง ตาม หา บัว ญาณ สั ม ปัน โน ), is a Buddhist "Forest Temple " ( Thai Wat Pa) in the western part of central Thailand. The temple is culturally not very interesting. Its attractions for many tourists, are the outdoor enclosure of the temple, where several large animals, especially tigers, are accommodated. Through several television productions, this temple has become internationally known. Tourists he is known as the "Tiger Temple ".

Wat Pa Maha Bua Luangta is located in the district of Mueang Kanchanaburi province near the border with Myanmar, some 37 km north-west of the city of Kanchanaburi on the highway 323

The temple was built in 1994 by the current abbot Phra Ajahn Phusit Khantitharo at the suggestion of his teacher, Phra Ajahn Maha Bua Nyanasampanno, which stipulated the name, founded as a forest temple and Reservation of wild animals. King Bhumibol donated on the occasion of its 50th jubilee in 1996 a statue of Buddha ( Golden Jubilee Buddha Image), which consists of 80 kg of gold. At the ceremony of the gold casting Ajahn Maha Bua also was present.

On the temple grounds Indochinese tigers are mainly kept in large cages. A separate Canyon on the temple grounds serves as a spacious site for exercises that can be observed at each afternoon by tourists. The temple also has an Animal Rescue Centre, which was established in 1995 and is fully funded by donations. Injured Bears were healed here unwelcome Pets are submitted here. Furthermore, many wild animals are (eg Gibbons ) in enclosures on the temple grounds.

In a report of animal and wildlife conservation organization, Care for the Wild the temple animal cruelty is accused, as the Tigers would not keep humanely and fed, and they brought to heel by questionable methods. Care for the Wild also raises the Temple illegal pet trade before, and that the encounters of tourists were lethal to the animals.