Chiang Mai "Eye of the Tiger" - Prepared by Eric Yeung
Title: General Manager
Company: THAI Royal Orchid Holidays (Hong Kong & Macau)
Travel Period: June 2009



“Fear” is always used to describe the relationship between tigers and humans. In fact, when I arrive the Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai. I change my point of view from “Fear” to “Cute” and “Friendly”.

Tiger Kingdom just open last year September and they are part of the Ubon Zoo. The location is just 30 minutes drive from Chiang Mai City.

Tiger Kingdom has a mixture of tigers from all over the world. They are mainly Indo-China tigers but they also have tigers bred from Bengal and Sumatran parents.

Without taking photo with a 230 kg male tiger, it will be a shame for a man who visit the Tiger Kingdom. The same meaning as you travel to Beijing, you should climb the “Great Wall”.

Under the instruction from the trainer, I finally did that. As a man with fear during this 15 minutes close contact, I keep looking at his eyes all the time by understanding whether he is fierce or whether he will bite me. In fact, he provides me a very professional eye contact as a tourist spot. He looks very tired and I should say friendly. He just like a toy with body temperature.

After this adventure, I have visited Jenny’s Turf. She is teaching us how to feed a baby tiger, which is more relax. For the ladies, they can treat the tiger as their babies and practice as a mother.

Back to the 30 years ago, my Kung Fu Master was teaching me the style of “Twisting Tiger”, which is learning from the truculent of tiger and together with the song – “Eye of the Tiger” and felt myself Rocky.
But after this trip, tiger has different meaning to me. I believe I should watch the National Geographic to gain my confident back.

But this is definitely an experience for those who only stay in office acting like a tiger. Fear yourself is always a good way for reducing pressure.

Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai
Address: Mae-rim,   Chiang-Mai
It is within a kilometre after the turnoff from the Chiang Mai - Fang main road.
Price: 15 Minutes in enclosure     THB 320up
Exchange Rate: HK$1 to THB 4.4
Website: www.tigerkingdom.com