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A Thai woman has been identified as the owner of a young lion, recently taken on a ride in a convertible in Pattaya.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said that the woman, Sawangjit Kosoongnern, is the legally registered owner of the animal in Ratchaburi province.

She has asked the department for permission to move the lion to Pattaya, in Chonburi province, but the request has not yet been approved.

“Therefore, Sawangjit did violate laws concerning the taking of a wild animal out in public and moving its location without prior permission. She could face a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to Bt50,000,” explained Atthaphon.

The driver of the convertible was Sawangjit’s Indian friend.

Department officials had been instructed to locate the person who took a cat for a ride in his…