Our News (Foreign)

Foreign Correspondent

Thailand - Tiger Temple
Broadcast: 24/02/2004
Reporter: Peter Lloyd

POSTCARD
SERIES 13
EPISODE 23

Synopsis

Taking the tigers for a walk in the village market is all part of the job for a particular group of Buddhist monks in Thailand.

The monks believe in reincarnation and are convinced that the tigers who go by names like Storm and Thunder were once monks.

Hence Abbot Phoosit believes that just like Doctor Dolittle he can “talk” to the animals.

Moreover he’s sure that the tigers at his sanctuary have overcome their natural instincts and have adopted peaceful Buddhist ways.

There are fewer than five hundred of this particular species of tiger left in Asia.

Bangkok correspondent Peter Lloyd, visits the Buddhist temple cum sanctuary and looks at the balance being struck between allowing the tigers to roam free and being made available to tourists.