Summer Holiday in Thailand 泰國曼谷客比 (Jul-2008)

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The next "toilet break" happened in a large handicraft complex. These pictures show the wood craftmen working the woods. Just about each one of them asked if we would like to buy their set of tools.

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Not all the "work stations" were occupied. In an empty one I saw this working plan and a photo of another wood elephant.

Sometimes I suspect this kind of setups were staged to creat an authentic feel. In our visit to New Zealand, we passed one town with many jewelry shops. Each one of them had a "workshop" with benches, plans, tools. But none of them had any craftman. The workshop was probably just part of the show.

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This guy was working on a very large piece, and at this particular moment, was using his fist as a hammer.

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The next stop was the tiger temple. At first we can see the tigers from perhaps 20-30 meters away.

Majestic animals! Poor them.

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We were divided into a few groups then joined the "walk the tiger". We were actually more like following the tiger, walking behind a big one, taking turns walk up next to the tiger and touch it. The touists would passed their camera to the staff so they can take pictures of the touist touching the still working tiger.

At the end of the walk, we arrived at this area where many tigers was getting ready to take a nap.

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While waiting, other "walk the tiger" group are joining us.

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Playing dead?!

The tigers were taking naps right in front of our eyes. And this particular one sleep so deep that nobody can wake him up. I asked if the tigers were sedated with substance. The answer was No.

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The monk was checking the "play dead" tiger, then tourists like us happily molest the sleeping tigers. 

This trip took place almost 1 year ago and I do not remember many of the details now. I think we were told that the tigers were fed cooked meat so they are not used to eat raw meat and reduce the chance of attacking human or other animals.

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Whilte the main group was staying with the adult tigers, we ventured around and found this small young tiger taking a nap.

More photo ops.

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We were told that the tiger temple started as a regular temple. One time someone rescued a tiger cub and the temple took in the tiger and provided care. To "tame" the tigers, the temple fed them only cooked meat.

Since then the temple acquired a reputation, and people start sending young unwanted animal to them. By now they have bears, horses, buffalos, deer, and other animals.

Before we visited the temple, our guide prepared cucumbers and other vegetable so we can feed the animals.