Tiger Temple Kanchanaburi

Day Trip From Bangkok

Highlights of this day tour include

• Pick-up from your Hotel
• Historic Bridge over the River Kwai
• Lunch in a Thai Restaurant
• Tiger Temple at Wat Pha Luangta Bua Yannasampanno
• Return to your Hotel in Bangkok

In Kanchanaburi Province there is a forest temple, founded in 1994, which has become a sanctuary for numerous wild animals. While it is more commonly known as The Tiger Temple, its Thai name is Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Yannasampanno.

The abbot, Phra Acharn Phusit, has been caring for abandoned tigers since 1999. The mother of the first cub he took in had been killed by poachers. The first tiger cub died from its injuries, but a few weeks later two more tiger cubs were rescued from poachers and brought to the temple.

Word soon spread and more abandoned or injured tigers were brought to the temple. By 2005 there were 17 tigers at the temple. Seven were orphans rescued from the wild and ten have been born and bred here at the temple. Update 230309 - there are currently 38 tigers at the temple.

The monastery is situated in an area lying adjacent to Burma. Protected areas and national parks along the Thai-Burma border are believed to contain the largest surviving populations of tigers in Thailand.

Unfortunately, while these areas are protected, poaching still occurs. A poacher can earn several years of a farmer's salary for killing a tiger, so the profit is well worth the risk. After the mother tiger is killed the cubs are taken as a bonus, or left to fend for themselves in the jungle.

Tour Itinerary

The first stop on your tour will be at the War Cemetery on the outskirts of Kanchanaburi, where your English-speaking guide will join you.

From there it's only a short drive to the famed Bridge over the River Kwai where you'll have time for a quick walk across the bridge to get some good photos.

An excellent Thai lunch will be enjoyed before or after the Tiger Temple. Your guide will want to get you to the Temple nice and early so you can enter as soon as the gates open. Remember there are many animals here, not only tigers. You'll be able to enjoy the young tigers at play and this is a great photo op which is included in your admission fee. You can also feed the tiger cubs but the Tiger Temple charges 1500 Baht extra for this with a maximum of four per group. 

When the adult tigers are brought out, everyone can follow them down into the tiger canyon where you'll have a chance to have your piccie taken with a tiger in your lap, but you'll have to pay the temple 1000 Baht extra for these pics.

Ladies: please note that the Temple has recently tightened their dress requirements. You must have your shoulders covered and have no visible cleavage - a t-shirt is a good choice. Shorts must be long, finishing just above the knee. Tights cannot be worn as an outer garment. For everyone, no red, purple or pink clothing.

When you've seen enough, your driver will be ready to return you to your hotel in Bangkok. Time to reflect on a great day's outing for you and your friends with Bangkok Day Tours.

Tour includes all admission charges, lunch, transport and tour guide.

Feel free to tip the driver and guide as you see fit.