A Thai woman has been identified as the owner of a young lion, recently taken on a ride in a convertible in Pattaya.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said that the woman, Sawangjit Kosoongnern, is the legally registered owner of the animal in Ratchaburi province.

She has asked the department for permission to move the lion to Pattaya, in Chonburi province, but the request has not yet been approved.

“Therefore, Sawangjit did violate laws concerning the taking of a wild animal out in public and moving its location without prior permission. She could face a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to Bt50,000,” explained Atthaphon.

The driver of the convertible was Sawangjit’s Indian friend.

Department officials had been instructed to locate the person who took a cat for a ride in his convertible in Pattaya, after a video clip of the excursion went viral.

The clip was posted on the Facebook page of Ann Isan Russia with a caption which read “This is Pattaya!”

Thai law states that an individual can apply for permission to keep a lion, but cannot take it to a public place.

The animal seemed to be enjoying the view during its outing, while passing motorcyclists and drivers merely glanced, as if it was a normal domestic pet.

“All wild animals are dangerous and have the potential to attack at any time. An individual can obtain permission to own a lion, but they must keep it in a specified location, not in a public area,” Atthaphon said.

Atthaphon mentioned that there are indications that owning a lion is becoming trendy among Thais and foreigners.

“A lion can cost about Bt500,000. In Chon Buri province, four Thais and a zoo have been granted permits to keep a total of 15 lions,” he said.

Most lions in Thailand are imported for breeding in zoos, but now there is a growing desire to keep them as personal pets.

Those who own a lion illegally could be breaching two clauses of Article 19 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and face a jail term and a fine.

by Marisa Chimprabha