Thai TikToker Parinya Parkpoom faces arrest after his pet lion escaped its cage and attacked an 11-year-old boy

A Thai TikToker is reportedly facing arrest after his pet lion escaped its enclosure and attacked two people, including an 11-year-old boy, in the Bo Phloi district of Kanchanaburi, Thailand. According to Dexerto, 32-year-old Parinya Parkpoom is looking at six months of jail time if convicted under Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, in addition to a 50,000 baht fine.

Parinya Parkpoom became TikTok famous after posting videos about raising his pet lion, a one-year-old female feline named Mahae Si. On October 4, 2025, the lion was reportedly tied to a pole outside the TikToker's house and broke free from her restraints, running out into the village.

A viral video of the attack recently circulated on social media. In the video, the lion is seen charging at the 11-year-old boy, who was reportedly on his way home after playing with his friends. The boy was pawed and bitten by the lion and sustained injuries on his right hip.

A bystander, 43-year-old Sarawut Tokaeo, rushed to help the boy and received scratches on his leg. Both victims were taken to the hospital and are said to be steadily recovering.

According to Metro, the video also showed locals running to Parinya Parkpoom for help. The TikToker seemingly hesitated outside the fence and appeared unsure how to respond before managing to retrieve the lion from a nearby field and taking her to her cage.

In a statement to local TV, Parkpoom said he was "shocked" at the attack and added that he would pay the boy's medical fees. He claimed that the attack happened because the lion was outside its normal enclosure, which was under renovation at the moment.

"I apologise for what happened - it was an accident. I will pay compensation and cover the boy's medical treatment," he said.

The TikToker has reportedly been charged under Section 15 of Thailand's Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. Officials from the Wildlife Conservation Office seized the lion from the TikToker's home on October 5, 2025, and are looking to transport her to a wildlife breeding centre.

The wildlife department urged pet owners who "keep wild animals to be aware of the potential dangers, as all animals have a ferocious instinct," adding:

"Any unforeseen incident that affects the life and property of others will be punished and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

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Several Thai TikTokers own lions as pets

According to The Guardian, Thailand has seen a stark rise in the ownership of exotic pets, including lions. Lion breeder Patamawadee Chanpithak told the publication that lion cubs are sold from a starting price of $5,000, with white cubs fetching $15,000. While lions are reportedly not native to Thailand, they are legal to own as pets.

Apart from owning lions as pets, several people have started "lion cafes" in Thailand, where visitors can come and take pictures with the felines. There are reportedly 500 registered captive lions residing in zoos, homes, and lion cafes.

According to The Straits Times, Parinya Parkpoom is not the only Thai TikToker to own a pet lion. Tharnuwarht Plengkemratch, another Thai-based TikToker, currently owns two lions and a lion-tiger hybrid called "Big George." Speaking to APF in July 2025, Plengkemratch compared lions to cats and dogs, saying:

“They’re playful and affectionate, just like dogs or cats...I wanted to show people… that lions can actually bond well with humans,” he said.

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This is not the first instance of a pet lion attack in recent times. In July 2025, a pet lion attacked a woman and her two young children in the streets of Lahore, Pakistan. All three victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. Three men were arrested in connection with the attack, and the lion was transferred to a local wildlife park.

Edited by Juhi Marzia