Video of man driving Bentley with lion cub in backseat leaves internet users divided

A video circulating on the internet has sparked a heated debate after a man was spotted driving a luxurious Bentley through Thailand's Pattaya City with a lion cub in the back seat. Originally posted on Facebook by a profile named 'Madamannudon' (now Ann Isaan Russia) in December 2023, the video gained widespread attention after resurfacing on X.

The footage shows a man behind the wheel of a Bentley, with a lion cub wearing a chained collar in the back seat. The video was later shared on X by a user named Bangkok Boy, leading to an official investigation against the owner of the lion cub.

The post on X sparked outrage, with users condemning the act as animal cruelty. Questions about the legality of keeping a lion as a pet and taking it out in public were also raised by several internet users.

Others reacted to the video saying the lion was living a real fancy life.

Local authorities, action on the video, initiated a probe into the incident, revealing that the video was recorded in the Bang Lamung district of Chonburi province. The person driving the car was identified as the friend of the lion cub's owner, who hails from India. Officials are currently trying to locate the friend for further investigation.

While owning exotic animals is legal in Thailand, they must be registered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The owner of the lion cub, identified as Sawangjit Kosoongnern, had legal permission to keep the animal at home. However, taking the lion cub out in public without proper approval violated regulations.

"Sawangjit did violate laws concerning the taking of a wild animal out in public and moving its location without prior permission," stated the department's chief, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Also watch: Tiger refuses to move from wall in UP, tranquilised by forest officers