TikTok Star Sparks Outcry Over Pet Lion in Chiang Mai
Officials inspect influencer’s home after deadly zoo incident raises alarm
A Thai TikTok influencer has triggered heated debate after it was revealed she keeps a lion as a pet in her Chiang Mai home. The case gained attention just days after a zookeeper was killed by seven lions at Safari World Zoo, prompting fears of another potential tragedy.
Lion Sorapong: Playmate or ticking time bomb?
The influencer, identified as Orapan — known online as “Ning” — frequently shares TikTok clips featuring her lion, Sorapong. Concerned citizens contacted authorities following the deadly zoo attack, fearing the big cat might pose a danger to neighbors and the public.
Wildlife Conservation Division director Thani Wongnak personally inspected her property in Ton Pao village, San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai. His verdict: the enclosure and care were fully legal and met all safety standards.
Licensed enclosure: How Sorapong lives
Records show Orapan legally registered the lion under certificate number 19324. She also owns an African grey parrot. According to Wildlife Conservation Office Region 16, the enclosure — last inspected on July 23 — was built with reinforced materials to withstand impacts and prevent direct contact.
The setup includes:
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Noise insulation
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Odor management
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Wastewater treatment
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CCTV surveillance
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Emergency protocols
Authorities declared the facility compliant with regulations.
“He sees me as his mother”
In response to criticism, Orapan defended her decision on TikTok: “We have raised Sorapong since birth, feeding him ourselves. He sees us as his mother, so the chance of him harming us is minimal.”
Still, she admitted the risks: “Sorapong weighs about 60 kilograms. If he jumps, he could knock us down. He just wants to play, but he is strong.”
She drew a distinction between her lion and zoo animals: “Zoo lions are often acquired at older ages without family bonds, so they show more wild instincts. Sorapong only knows us, so he is less dangerous.”
Experts, however, warn that even hand-raised lions remain unpredictable predators.
Not an isolated case
Thailand has seen similar controversies before. Earlier this year, a lion riding in an open Bentley in Pattaya went viral, while another sparked complaints when its roar disturbed residents in Phra Tamnak Soi.
The latest case reignites a bigger debate: Should private ownership of big cats be banned in urban areas? With Sorapong under scrutiny, it’s a question regulators may soon have to confront.