Tiger attacks man in Thailand during selfie attempt: Viral video sparks safety concerns

In a shocking and sad incident, an Indian man was mauled by a tiger at a popular tourist attraction in Phuket, Thailand. The incident has raised serious concerns about wildlife safety and tourism ethics. As per reports, the tourist suffered some injuries after being attacked by a tiger at Tiger Kingdom. It is a theme park that allows visitors to get up close and personal with big cats. But this time, it turned out to be a terrible idea.The video of the incident quickly went viral after being posted on the social media platform X. It's a scary video that shows the tourist walking with the tiger holding his chain. But while attempting to take a selfie, the tiger attacks the tourist. The video also shows a caretaker at the tiger kingdom trying to save the tourist but it’s mostly scary voices of shouting. A trainer is seen using a stick to signal the tiger to sit. But within moments, the animal attacks the man, prompting screams and chaos.Although the tourist’s injuries were reportedly not severe, the incident has reignited debates online about the safety measures in place at such wildlife facilities. Many social media users expressed concern for the victim while questioning the practice of allowing close contact with powerful predators.Tiger Kingdom, a popular tourist spot in Phuket, has marketed itself as a place where visitors can get up close and personal with tigers. According to its website, the park says it uses positive reinforcement techniques to train the animals. However, unlike many similar wildlife attractions, its tigers are allegedly not sedated, declawed, or defanged—claims that have drawn close scrutiny from animal rights groups.However, this is not the first time the facility has been under scrutiny. In 2014, an Australian tourist was seriously injured by a tiger at the same park, leading to temporary closure of one of the enclosures.The latest incident comes just weeks after a fatal tiger attack in India’s Madhya Pradesh, where a 50-year-old farmer was killed by a tiger in Balaghat district. That tragedy, combined with the Phuket attack, highlights ongoing risks in both wild and captive settings when it comes to human-tiger interactions.Animal welfare organizations have repeatedly warned about the dangers of using wild animals for entertainment. They argue that facilities like Tiger Kingdom prioritize tourist experiences over the well-being of animals, and that the stress of constant human interaction can make the animals unpredictable and dangerous.As this incident continues to gain global attention, many are calling for stricter regulations and greater public awareness about the risks associated with wildlife tourism. Whether this leads to changes in Thailand’s approach to animal attractions remains to be seen.