BANGKOK– A tragic event unfolded at Safari World in Bangkok on the morning of 10 September 2025. Jian Rangkharasamee, a 58-year-old zookeeper with more than three decades of experience, lost his life after being attacked by several lions.
The incident took place in the drive-through safari area as tourists watched from their vehicles. The severity of the event has drawn attention to the zoo’s safety measures for both staff and visitors. This was the first fatal incident of its kind at Safari World and has led to an immediate investigation and the closure of the safari section.
Jian Rangkharasamee had worked at Safari World for over 30 years. On the day of the attack, he stepped out of his vehicle inside the lion enclosure to pick up something he had dropped, breaking the zoo’s safety rules.
According to Police Colonel Nirutpol Yotamat from Kannayao Police Station, Jian exited his jeep and turned his back to the lions. One lion, roughly ten metres away, quietly approached and jumped on him. More lions soon joined, dragging him to the ground.
The attack lasted an estimated 15 minutes before staff could reach him. Jian was taken to Intrarat Hospital but died from his injuries.
Visitors watch animals from their cars in the drive-through safari, with strict instructions not to exit vehicles or open windows. Jian’s main job was to patrol in his vehicle and help keep animals within their areas. He had never breached protocol before.
Veterinary officials suggested the lions’ actions could have been playful at first, since Jian was familiar with them and regularly fed them. However, this did not prevent the deadly outcome, showing the risks involved with wild animals even in controlled settings.
Tourist Reports
The attack took place during a busy time, with both local and overseas tourists present. Colonel Dr Thawatchai Kanchanarin, a former surgeon who was visiting that morning, told the ThaiRath he saw a man get out of an open jeep and stand alone with his back to the lions.
“He stayed there for about three minutes, then a lion walked over and grabbed him from behind,” Dr Thawatchai said. Many people, including Dr Thawatchai, first thought the lions were playing, as Jian did not call for help. “It looked as if the lions were greeting him, so no one rushed in,” he explained.
As it became clear that something was wrong, visitors tried to distract the lions by beeping their car horns and shouting, but it did not work. Videos captured by tourists quickly spread online, showing three lions attacking Jian as blood pooled on the ground. Zoo staff arrived with firearms, scaring the lions away, but it was too late to save him. Witnesses were left deeply shocked.
Safari World later released a statement offering condolences to Jian’s family and pointing out that no incident like this had happened in 40 years of operation. The zoo stated that all 32 lions, most of which were imported from Africa and properly licensed, remain under watch by specialists.
The statement reminded the public that safety for both guests and staff is the zoo’s top concern, urging everyone to follow the rule about staying in vehicles. The safari area will stay closed while the zoo reviews and strengthens its safety routines.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, led by Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa, is investigating what happened. They have confirmed that Safari World is licensed to have its 32 lions. There are still questions about the cause of the attack and whether stricter rules could have made a difference.
Recent Zoo Incidents in Thailand
This was not the only fatal animal attack involving a Thai zoo this year. In January, an elephant killed a Spanish tourist during a bathing session at a sanctuary in southern Thailand.
In April, a white Bengal tiger fatally mauled a keeper at a different zoo after the staff member entered the enclosure during feeding. While deaths from lion attacks in zoos remain uncommon worldwide, they do happen.
In October 2024, a zookeeper in Crimea was killed after lions escaped through an unlocked door. In 2018, a lion in North Carolina killed a volunteer when a gate failed.
The attack at Safari World has sparked fresh discussion about keeping large predators in captivity. Animal rights groups like PETA have called for the zoo to move its lions to sanctuaries, saying the animals were simply responding to natural instincts.
With nearly 500 captive lions in Thailand across zoos, breeding centres, and private collections, there is now greater public debate about how the country regulates lion ownership. Edwin Wiek from Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand said, “This incident shows that even lions raised by people can still be unpredictable and pose great risks.”
As the investigation continues, the tragedy at Safari World is a reminder of the dangers involved in working with wild animals. Strict safety rules must be respected to protect both people and animals in zoos and safari parks.
