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SCMP’s Asia desk

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has ordered the retraining of five lions that fatally mauled a veteran zookeeper at Safari World in Bangkok.
The case has since prompted the closure of the park’s predator zone and sparked a review of safety practices at wildlife attractions across Thailand.
Jian Rangkharasamee, a 58-year-old keeper who had worked with lions and tigers for two decades, was killed on Wednesday after reportedly stepping out of his vehicle in the open-range safari zone. Authorities say the attack was triggered by predator instinct, with one lion biting the back of the keeper’s neck before others joined in.
“Most importantly, the five lions must be confined. They may have to be caged. Their behaviours must be gradually changed,” DNP Director General Attapol Charoenchansa said during a press briefing on Thursday, as quoted by the Bangkok Post.
Photos published by local media the following day showed the lions – named Trump, Bite, Aon, Ai and Yao – already confined. All are about 10 years old, according to officials. Two additional lions from the same area were also placed in enclosures as a precaution.

Dr Thawatchai Kanchanarin, a retired army doctor who was among the tourists who witnessed the attack, told Thai PBS that Jian drove into the safari zone alone.
“He suddenly opened the door and got out of the vehicle, turning his back to the pride of lions,” he recalled. “I don’t know why he did that.”
Not long after, one lion approached and attacked Jian, followed by about six others who joined in. Strikingly, the victim “didn’t even cry out for help”, Thawatchai said. As a result, he and other visitors began honking their car horns for more than 15 minutes, afraid to intervene directly. Eventually, zoo personnel arrived and managed to bring the situation under control.
An autopsy found that Jian had sustained fatal neck injuries and severe trauma to his limbs. “His organs are intact; we infer the animals intended only to attack, not to eat,” said Police Major General Wirul Supasingsiripreecha, forensic commander at Police General Hospital, during a briefing on Thursday.
Safari World management expressed condolences to the victim’s family, describing the death as the first such incident in the park’s 40-year history. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the park reiterated that staff were instructed never to leave vehicles while inside predator zones.

While the rest of the park remains open, the safari section where the attack took place has been closed indefinitely. The DNP has ordered the facility to submit a revised safety plan and conduct emergency response drills before any reopening will be considered.
“Operators must prove they can prevent animal tension, respond rapidly to emergencies, and provide first aid. Staff must be well-equipped to stop any animal immediately when they attack,” Attapol said.
An inspection by wildlife conservation officials uncovered damaged fencing, inadequate warning signage and a lack of CCTV coverage in key areas of the park. Officials also confirmed that Safari World’s operating permit expired in October last year and is still pending renewal.
The incident has cast a spotlight on broader safety and welfare concerns surrounding Thailand’s exotic animal industry. According to the DNP, there are currently 620 lions in the country registered in zoos, breeding centres, petting cafes and private residences.
Lion ownership remains legal despite imports being banned in 2024. Conservationists say the captive population has surged in recent years, driven in part by tourism demand and lax enforcement of welfare standards.
Following Wednesday’s incident, the DNP launched a nationwide safety inspection covering all open zoos and facilities that house predatory animals. The initial focus includes five locations: Safari World in Bangkok, Safari Park in Kanchanaburi, Sriracha Tiger Zoo and Tiger Park Pattaya in Chon Buri, and Tiger Park Phuket.

Animal rights groups have long criticised the regulatory gaps in Thailand’s zoo industry, where uneven enforcement and lax oversight have allowed unsafe conditions to persist. Attractions offering photo ops or close encounters with predators have come under particular scrutiny.
Safari World itself has drawn criticism over the years for controversial entertainment shows, including orangutan kickboxing matches and hula-hooping elephants. Conservationists have alleged that more than 100 orangutans were smuggled into Thailand to perform at the park.
In statements issued after the attack, both the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called for tighter laws to restrict the private ownership and commercial use of dangerous wild animals.
“If this incident can happen at a zoo with safety guidelines, imagine what could happen in someone’s backyard,” said Edwin Wiek, WFFT’s founder, who urged a complete ban on private lion ownership.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse


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The incident at Safari World in Bangkok has sparked a review of safety practices at wildlife attractions in Thailand


The incident at Safari World in Bangkok has sparked a review of safety practices at wildlife attractions in Thailand.


Lions that killed zookeeper at Thai safari park to be retrained

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The incident at Safari World in Bangkok has sparked a review of safety practices at wildlife attractions in Thailand

The incident at Safari World in Bangkok has sparked a review of safety practices at wildlife attractions in Thailand