Wildlife and animal welfare activists have petitioned the Central Administrative Court to withdraw the zoo permit issued to Wat Pa Luang Ta Maha Bua in Kanchanaburi province, known as the Tiger Temple.
A monk hugs a tiger at Wat Pa Luang Ta Maha Bua in Kanchanaburi.
Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) and its partners said the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, which issued the permit, is ignoring wildlife conservation best practices.
The petition came after the department's chief, Tanya Nethitammakul, last Tuesday granted a public zoo establishment and operating licence, covering 25 rai of land, to the Tiger Temple Co in Sai Yok district of Kanchanaburi. The licence is effective until April 18, 2021.
Edwin Wiek, WFFT founder and director, said he was shocked by the department's decision to grant the zoo licence to the temple when the temple is facing legal action over wildlife in its possession, including tigers.
The foundation said numerous allegations of animal abuse and illegal wildlife trafficking have been raised against the temple since 2001. It claims the zoo is home to around 80 rare animals without proper permits.
There are reports of protected tigers from the temple being exchanged for lions from Laos, an act of illegal cross-border trade, and in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of which Thailand is a party.
"The WFFT is considering demanding the Administrative Court enforce the law in the matter, and that the zoo's licence be revoked immediately on grounds of serious legal neglect and double standards on enforcement, and that it issued the zoo licence against procedure," he said. The department was not available to comment.
Meanwhile, Pol Col Supitpong Pakcharung, vice-chairman of the Wat Pa Laung Ta Maha Bua Foundation and director of the Tiger Temple Co, said the foundation submitted blueprints for the zoo's construction to the department, which had accepted the plans met proper standards.
The zoo licence was granted under several tough conditions, he said, including a requirement that it hire full-time qualified specialists and veterinarians, and limit the number of animals at the zoo. Other demands are the animals would not be abused, no animal shows would take place, efficient waste management, safety for visitors, and allowing inspections.
He said the zoo will invest 30 million baht to develop 120 cages for tigers and other facilities over the next two years.
Currently, there are 137 tigers under the temple's care after the department relocated 10 tigers, with plans under way to transfer 10 more, Pol Col Supitpong said. However, after the facilities are complete, the temple will ask the department return the tigers, he said.