In the heart of Bangkok’s bustling cityscape, nestled within the nooks of Soi Sukhumvit 4, an unexpected guest made an appearance that turned heads and ignited conversations. It was late January when the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation stumbled upon a sight that was as bewildering as it was awe-inspiring: a nine-month-old lion cub lounging amidst coffee patrons in a Klong Toey café. This discovery was not just a wake-up call stronger than the café’s espresso; it highlighted a burgeoning trend that’s raising eyebrows across Thailand. The allure of exotic pets has captured the fancy of Thailand’s elite, tiptoeing the thin line between affluence and audacity. Recent months have seen a spate of sightings that seem ripped from the pages of a surreal novel: lion cubs taking joyrides in luxury convertibles in Pattaya, or sauntering down suburban streets in Chon Buri. The narrative took a somber turn…
