I hated this attraction. Its a shambles and a prime example of animal cruelty in the name of tourism. The poor tigers are kept on short chains in this canyon and people walk round one after the other having their pictures taken with each one. I found it all very sad, the tigers are forced into positions and are smacked if they try and change position or show any signs of aggetation. I would also not be surprised if the tigers were also drugged. I felt sickened that I had spent my money there, encouraging this further.

We did a day trip hiring a car from Bangkok to the bridge on the River Kwai and the tiger temple at Kanchanaburi. The bridge brought memories of the movie seen long ago and walking on it seeing the mekong river flow by was so peaceful. We had the most tasty thai lunch sitting by the riverside. Some interesting shopping of art etched on leather and amber stone pendants. Reached the tiger temple which I knew about from Nat Geo on TV :) Really majestic cats and amazing feeling to stand so close to them and take snaps. I did not understand why the monks were pouring mineral water over the cats??? Plenty of volunteers and many tourists too. Though commercialised where else can you touch a TIGER :) so definitely worth a stop.

We booked our trip to the tiger temple before we left the UK and I cannot recommend Tour with Tong enough! They were brilliant! It is a personal tour with just you and the guide. We got picked up/dropped off from our hotel and saw the bridge over the river kwai on the way to the Tiger Temple. All in all, at the morning session at the temple there were approx 10 people.

Upon arrival we gave food to the monks (supplied by Tong) and then walked through the temple's grounds to the temple itself where we had breakfast with the monks and a blessing. The tiger cubs were all in the room with us and we bottle fed them and easily spent over half an hour playing with them. Our tour guide took care of our cameras and took hundreds of pictures and video footage.

We then took the cubs for a walk through the grounds and met up with 5 adolescent tigers for their playtime. We spent ages outside with them playing and they were running around everywhere in and out of the stream. We then bathed them and fed them by hand.

Following this, we walked an adult tiger down to the canyon area, loads of time for pictures and to ask the helpers questions throughout. Then the adult tigers had their playtime.

From spending the morning with these tigers you can see that they are very well cared for and are very happy animals. I cannot comment on what they are like in the afternoons as we went just for the morning, but after seeing how much excercise they have, it wouldn't surprise me that all they want to do in the afternoons is sleep - just like any other cat!!