Chinese tourist bitten by lion cub at Phuket cafe pays for own rabies shots

A Chinese tourist was bitten by a lion cub at a cafe in Phuket, Thailand. Despite the staff claiming the cafe's lions were vaccinated, the tourist decided to pay for rabies shots themselves. This incident has reignited debate in China about the safety of cafes that use big cats as attractions. The case has been widely reported on Chinese social media platforms, with many users urging travelers not to take the risk.

The Thai health guidance advises washing any wound that breaks the skin and getting vaccinated as soon as possible, regardless of the animal's vaccination status. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, underscoring the seriousness of the risk. Thailand records deaths from rabies each year, including a case in Ubon Ratchathani where a man died in May after being scratched by a puppy.

While lion cafes have become a tourist attraction in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok, enforcement of regulations has been inconsistent. In February 2024, Thai authorities seized a cub named Nong Kiwi from a cafe in Phuket due to lack of registration and unsatisfactory conditions. In January 2025, police arrested two Chinese nationals working at a cafe in Ratsada, Phuket, for using cubs without proper permits. Despite these incidents, the cafe where the tourist was bitten has not been identified.