‘No responsibility’: Thai woman faces jail after friend takes her pet lion cub out for a drive in a Bentley

A Thai owner of a pet lion cub could face jail after a viral video of her friend driving around Pattaya in a convertible Bentley, with the big cat wearing a chained collar sitting in the back seat, sparked accusations of animal cruelty and endangering public safety.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said Sawangjit Kosoongnern was legally allowed to keep the lion in Ratchaburi province, west of Bangkok.

She had sought permission to transfer the pet to the tourist hotspot in Chonburi province, but did not receive the approval yet.

“Therefore, Sawangjit did violate laws concerning the taking of a wild animal out in public and moving its location without prior permission,” said Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the department’s chief.

She could face a prison term of up to six months and/or a maximum fine of 50,000 baht (US$1,400), he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, police launched an investigation into the incident to ascertain the owner of the Bentley after a video showed the lion, appearing calm and domesticated, as the luxury car drove past anxious onlookers in Pattaya’s Bang Lamung district.

Police later said the driver was Sawangjit’s friend from India, Thai PBS World reported.

Officials said a zoo and four individuals in Chonburi had permits to keep 15 lions that cost about 500,000 baht (US$14,008) each.

Some Thais on social media said the driver lacked accountability, calling for his arrest and setting the lion free.

“It is not wrong to be very rich. There is definitely a problem when that person doesn’t have a sense of public responsibility,” wrote a user.

Said another: “I would have freaked out with the kids.”

Officer Atthaphon agreed.

“All wild animals are dangerous and have the potential to attack at any