Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Is it illegal or unethical for Ayutthaya zoo to use my photo for advertising without my permission?

Mar 23, 2025
a year ago
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok keyboard warriors. It's time for some Morton Downey Jr stuff (for those who remember.

I went to Ayutthaya zoo late Feb. Paid money to take photos with 4 big cats (and sexually harass a tiger, per attendant instructions). After returning to USA, It has been brought to my attn that they are using one of my photos as advertisement. Flattering... I know I'm not the tasters choice guy, but is this still unethical/illegal? I certainly wasn't asked permission and dam sure wasn't offered any compensation.
32,247
views
711
all likes
133
replies
85
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shares their experience of having their photo taken with a tiger at Ayutthaya zoo, only to find it being used for advertisement upon their return to the USA. They question the legality and ethics of the zoo using their image without permission, igniting significant debate in the comments about animal rights, international norms, and the associated ethical implications of taking pictures with drugged animals. Many commenters criticize the user's participation in such practices and express concern that their outrage is misplaced, impacting discussions on animal treatment and advertising rights.
Randall *******
The photo belongs to the photographer, not to you. If you signed anything, including a money receipt, there is most likely a rights waiver attached that allows the photographer to use the photo as he chooses.
Like
Reply
Frank **********
He"s from Oregon, that state is full of whackos.
Like
Reply
John *********
Brag without telling me you are bragging...
Like
Reply
KImm ********************
First of all, you’re sick in the head for even taking pictures with these animals that get drugged let alone other things that you mentioned……and second of all who cares if they used your picture because you’re complaining about what they’re doing and not even considering what you have done. Ridiculous. Just stay away from those poor animals that have to suffer for your joy🤬🤬🤬🤬
Like
Reply
Christopher ******
Gosh, sure to turn people away
Like
Reply
Ted ********
The American dream! How can I get something for nothing!
Like
Reply
Alicia ***********
I’m disappointed in the mean comments. Not every person knows or fully understands how these beautiful animals are treated.
Like
Reply
Thailand ********
Looks like a couple of pussies
Like
Reply
Lindsay ***********************
As it has been stated. Drugging big cats and removing their claws is unethical.
Like
Reply
Paul *********
What’s going on with the tiny leg on the table? Is he a contortionist or is there a missing child somewhere.
Like
Reply
Judy ********
Why is it always about the “money”? You clearly posed with the poor animal and did so willingly.
Like
Reply
Desmond ***************
Cats on Xanax

Congratulations
Like
Reply
Hanne *******
What goes around, comes around
Like
Reply
Ryan *******
I thought this guy had no legs in the picture. He wants credentials back for the credentials he paid to take a picture with that toger. You got what you paid for. Now later you want to ask for compensation for that photo. It is they captured it when you agreed to pay for your privelege to pet that animal.. I don't think they owe you. Youre not that photogenic... You're not even in a swimsuit. 🤷‍♂️ It's like going to a football game and the out you on tv for 1 second. They don't owe you dude. Take your American privelege out when you travel.
Like
Reply
Mark ********
Clickbait...
Like
Reply
Branko *******
There are two possible options here:

1. You're bored so you decided to feed your ego by spewing nonsense here and then feed your ego with negative comments while you're reclining in a comfortable chair and eating greasy food, thereby fastening your departure from this world (which is not a bad thing actually )

2. You really ask this question and thus prove once again that most of you Americans really think that you are an important and exceptional nation, which you have proven by provoking 123 armed conflicts in 246 years of existence, and killing millions of people, starting with native Indians.

I don't know which of these is true, but I'm surprised that the admin tolerates posts like this where animal abuse is supported in the country you love so much.
Like
Reply
Melanie *****************
@Branko ******
most people in the US would think this guy is pathetic….
Like
Reply
Roger *******
@Branko ******
I think "fastening" should be "hastening".

Either way, totally agree.
Like
Reply
Branko *******
@Roger ******
English is not my language, obviously
Like
Reply
Roger *******
@Branko ******
Your English is much better than my Croatian or Serbian!
Like
Reply
Branko *******
@Roger ******
Technically my language is Bosnian. But I use Serbo-Croatian (communist nostalgia)😆. 6 new countries, 6 new languages
Like
Reply
Reply to
Branko *******
Reply
Aaron ******
Others have dragged you in the comments so I won’t.

While not familiar with TH laws on stuff like this specifically I do know in most countries any forms you sign will explain they can do this. And at times it won’t even be something you sign just a random sign you should have read. Depends on local laws how far they have to go.

It is common practice for such photos to be able to be used for advertising.

They own the photo. That is how copyright works.

While there may be laws needing model releases that is about the only restriction that the owner of the copyright has.

So I doubt you could sue as they are likely 100% legal. But even if not it wouldn’t be worth spending money to sue them.
Like
Reply
Roger *******
"dam" is spelt "damn".
Like
Reply
Martin *********
@Roger ******
close enough for murica
Like
Reply
Reply to
Martin *********
Reply
Simon ******
Which ones the pussy?
Like
Reply
Tommy ********
Honestly the tourists coming to Thailand now are absolute dross. Since
*********
Like
Reply
Yoni *******
Can someone meme a tiger dick in his mouth please.

What a loser
Like
Reply
Stephenie **********
Pleb goes to a zoo exploiting animals, gets offended when he himself, gets exploited. Couldn't make it up
Like
Reply
Jay **********
No, you get nothing.

I was on a massive billboard for a bird sanctuary and Chacoengsao, with a bunch of parrots all over me. I'd paid to take the photo, but then they used it for their billboards 😆 definitely didnt get paid, but got a good handful of photos sent to me of someone standing in front of the billboard grabbing my boobs, so at least there was that 🤷🏼‍♀️
Like
Reply
Nicolas ********
@Christopher ******
your elevator doesn't go all the way to the top floor does it? 🤡
Like
Reply
Gary *********
Was the picture taken with your personal camera and then stolen by the park Or was it taken by a photographer at your request? If it’s the latter then the photograph is the property of the person who took the original snap on their camera and you don’t have a leg to stand on for ‘compensation’.
Like
Reply
Jan **********
Tool.
Like
Reply
James ******
Considering they have to blur pictures on Facebook of other people. I reckon they might have a problem .
Like
Reply
Steve ********
Had that happen to me with an agent for Thai driver license. I messaged them and they removed it.
Like
Reply
Andrew ********
Depends on who is posting this, the tiger, or the complete fuckwit asshole in the cap and glasses.

If the tiger is posting, yeah mate, you should make formal complaint and sue the fuck out of him
Like
Reply
Susan *******
I thought you were going to write that you realised how wrong it was to even have your photo taken with the animal in the first place. Don’t you know they sedate them heavily and how unhealthy it is for the animals to have people touching them all day?

And yet all you’re doing is complaining how they used your photo without permission. There’s a much bigger problem here - and that’s the fact you thought it was ok to go there in the first place.
Like
Reply
Kevin **********
Drugged white animal posing with a near comatose tiger
Like
Reply
Martin ********
Paying money and supporting these places is unethical, congratulations on outing yourself as a massive 🔔🔚
Like
Reply
Carol ********
I think you having taken photo with tiger is unethical

Twat
Like
Reply
Cris ******
I'm seriously considering starting a collection of these wild questions/posts. This is hilarious. Also as an American we don't claim this. He's from Portland.

This is sad though. I love the dude white knighting for the guy in the comments also.
Like
Reply
Kenny *****
So u took the pic or the zoo personal? The copy right belong to the photographer, not the subject.
Like
Reply
Deby **************
@Kenny ****
not exactly. The photographer would still need a signed model release to use a person's image commercially. At least in a country where the law was properly followed.
Like
Reply
Kenny *****
@Deby *************
the poster said free printing including frame.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Kenny *****
Reply
Abhishek ********
Leave guys he is American he can say things like that
Like
Reply
Mike *************
@Abhishek *******
America isn’t laying claim to this one 😂
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mike *************
Reply
Garry ********
Don't poke the hornets nest, there country there rules, you will not benefit from debating what you think is right or wrong.
Like
Reply
Kai ******
People in comments are patethic. Super Judgmental as if they themselves are saints and never do/haven't done any actions that can't be judged by others. To the OP: Try to contact the organization and respectfully ask them to remove your picture. If that doesn't work and they don't remove it, then forget and forgive them and move on.
Like
Reply
Kim *******
@Kai *****
what’s pathetic, is people calling others names but not spelling it correctly! 😂🙄
Like
Reply
Jacqui *****************
@Kai *****
it's no wonder you only have 3 friends. 😂
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jacqui *****************
Reply
Frangipani *******
You’re not a nice person!
Like
Reply
Stan ******
Oh the comments. Golden
Like
Reply
Ross **********
@Christopher ******
…..

How dare your brain work this way.
Like
Reply
Alex *******
Compensation Hahaha...you think your in the wests wee bubble... Get a life and be happy you were chosen..
Like
Reply
Istvan *********
🤡🤡🤡🤡
Like
Reply
Frank **********
So wtf you want? A cookie? What a dork.
Like
Reply
Jacqui *****************
The only unethical thing is people who support animal abuse!! So you are complaining about your photo being used, which you were happy to have taken, with a drugged tiger. Grow up!!
Like
Reply
Lara *****
You are a f*ing idiot.
Like
Reply
Mark ********
@Lara ****
don’t mince your words get straight to the point ☺️
Like
Reply
Lara *****
Like
Reply
Reply to
Lara *****
Reply
Sheree ********
Disgusting human
Like
Reply
Sheree ********
Did the tiger get asked permission to be caged for his whole life just to be a photo prop for stupid people , no he didn’t so why should you get that privilege
Like
Reply
William *********
Wow you're famous.
Like
Reply
Russell *****
Did you pull out or tiger said finish inside?
Like
Reply
Jay ***********
Got to be a Troll 🤦‍♂️
Like
Reply
Alan ******
They have 100s of photos to choose from, it's just a random photo, think yourself lucky they chose your photo instead of someone else's who wouldn't give a fk.
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alan *****
yes, I think you're right. I'm not looking for a pay out, and certainly never expected one. I'm not "outraged" as many here seem to think. I was just curious about the laws in Thailand. Whether visitors are treated differently.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Christopher *******
Reply
Mark ********
It’s not allowed without your permission I see a big compensation payout for you and the horizon go for it
Like
Reply
Tim *********
@Chris******
when your parents had sex, I wonder if they really considered the consequences of their actions.
Like
Reply
Harris **********
Like
Reply
Todd *********
anybody who wears losing franchise baseball gear in thailand deserves plenty of mockery
Like
Reply
Eric **********
@Todd ********
matching shirt and hat!
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric *********
and shorts... come on... I don't care about the stats, I think every guy supports B-Jays.
Like
Reply
Todd *********
@Eric *********
brutal lol!!
Like
Reply
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Jeremy ******
Did the tiger eat your bottom half?
Like
Reply
Jonathan **********
I’m sure the tigers are more pissed than you are their pictures are circulating with you in them. Their street cred is destroyed because of these photos.

But yeh, taking photos with drugged up tigers isn’t cool.
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
Check into the PDPA law that came into effect in 2021.
Like
Reply
Karl ********
I honestly throught this was a troll post
Like
Reply
Kim *******
@Karl *******
pretty sure it is
Like
Reply
Dave **********
@Karl *******
isn't it??? A troll post.
Like
Reply
Karl ********
@Dave *********
I hope so🤷🏼‍♂️😂
Like
Reply
Reply to
Karl ********
Reply
Olav *********
Sorry for saying this but why do itt allways hawe to be about monney??

Americans allways want compansation or they sue your ass from here to the moon.???

Just hawe to mention itt
Like
Reply
Chuck **********
Like
Reply
Reply to
Chuck **********
Reply
Ron **********
He'd be more than one meal for the cat
Like
Reply
Dave ********
It the same situation for the poor tiger. Oh the irony of your outrage.
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Dave *******
yep all pet ownership should be banned
Like
Reply
Chuck **********
@Paul *******
It’s a zoo you idiot
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Chuck *********
check Dave's profil pic you !diot
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paul ********
Reply
Angus *********
You are officially a 🤡
Like
Reply
David ***********
Surely this is a gee up
Like
Reply
Ricky ********
All this post has done is bring out all the animal activist Karens
Like
Reply
Lynnette *******
@Ricky *******
you mean the decent people who don't agree with drugging wild animals for stupid tourist entertainment? Childish name-calling just makes you look foolish.
Like
Reply
Ricky ********
@Lynnette ******
yeah but you lot are almost as bad as Vegans . Wont STFU .
Like
Reply
Lynnette *******
@Ricky *******
who are "you lot"? You mean people who aren't cruel to wild animals for a photo op? And no, we should never STFU, not till animal abuser stop. They are a pox on the earth.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Greg ******
@Ricky *******
it really was… 🫠😂
Like
Reply
Reply to
Greg ******
Reply
Tonino *****
@Christopher ******
There He is, the typical American KAREN at its finest.

It is Thailand, and not usa.

Go sue them, go. Lol 🤦‍♂️
Like
Reply
Chuck **********
@Tonino ****
What a idiot
Like
Reply
Chuck **********
Idiato!
Like
Reply
Tonino *****
@Chuck *********
That's you and your kind - idiots.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tonino *****
Reply
Eric **********
@Tonino ****
fyi…wearing Toronto blue jays uniform. Maybe a new breed of Canadian Karen. Not sure what they call Karens in Canada.
@Christopher ******
- kidding aside…i suggest you reach out to them and ask them to remove your picture from their website. They may do that….and I certainly do not see any compensation in your future.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Eric **********
Reply
Jim *********
You’re lucky it’s not a photo of the tiger having you for lunch.
Like
Reply
Christina *********************
What year is it 2005? who still takes pictures with tigers? It's a total NO GO😡😡😡
Like
Reply
Daniel *****
Let them know if you object or feel like you are being exploited, I'm sure they would take your pic down and use someone else's. The Thai script reads "free photo and frame".
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel ****
free? They charged me 1000 I think
Like
Reply
Reply to
Christopher *******
Reply
Paul ********
@Christina ********************
all pet owners should be prosecuted for enslavement.
Like
Reply
Ivan ********
@Paul *******
Have you never owned a Cat or Dog??
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Ivan *******
nope cruel
Like
Reply
Ivan ********
@Paul *******
Sorry to hear 🙁 I can assure you my Cat had the best life living in the country side, 13 years she couldnt wipe the smile off her face how good she had it. You think the soi Cats and Dogs have a good life?
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Ivan *******
ask Thais about chaining animals up, or putting them on a leech
Like
Reply
Ivan ********
@Paul *******
what are you talking about? never had a dog or cat chained up in my life?
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Ivan *******
locked up in a back yard, with 9 foot colorbond fences? I'd much prefer to be a Soi dog personally
Like
Reply
Ivan ********
@Paul *******
Well thats a complete different story and yes i totally agree with you there, I am not a fan of animals being tied up or stuck in back yards in suburbia. My cats and Dogs in my life time have never been tied up and have enjoyed the freedom of country life :-)
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Ivan *******
never had a dog on a Leach
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paul ********
Reply
Jay **********
@Paul *******
I'd swap lives with my cats any day
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Jay *********
put a collar on you, desex you and the get you microchiped
Like
Reply
Jay **********
@Paul *******
Mine don't have collars or microchips
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Jay *********
do you know if you die in a room with a cat or dog, that Cat will starting to devoure you after 7 hours, fearing they might die of hunger, Dogs last 14 hours..
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paul ********
Reply
Eugene **********
@Paul *******
my cat would disagree
Like
Reply
Paul ********
@Eugene *********
does you cat talk English?? Owning a animal for your own personal enjoyment is barbaric
Like
Reply
Eugene **********
@Paul *******
he talks love. Buddy came inside on his own accord and when I took him outside on my arms he claws to get back in… relax Paul
Like
Reply
Reply to
Eugene **********
Reply
John *******
I would argue the unethical element is participating in a system that drugs animals so that you, as a tourist can take a photo.
Like
Reply
Olav *********
@John ******
l live in thailand and l avoid those tourist scams.

I hawe been a hunter in my life and eat meat but what they do are torture of those animals.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Olav *********
Reply
Alli *******
What's unethical is supporting places that mistreat animals and then complaining about your photo being used. Good on them for showing the kind of people who visit.
Like
Reply
Alli *******
@Mark *******
I can see your lack of intelligence in every response. Please stop engaging. ✋🏾
Like
Reply
Mark ********
@Alli ******
How deluded you are to think you have any importance in my world...😂
Like
Reply
Alli *******
@Mark *******
Clearly I do as you keep responding……. 🎤
Like
Reply
Reply to
Alli *******
Reply
Dan ********
@Mark *******
Well they drug and beat the animals to make them compliant…So i guess that you’re ok with that sort of thing.🤷‍♂️
Like
Reply
Mark ********
@Dan *******
Yes you are guessing as you have no idea. But thats what DF's do👍
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Hanne *******
@Alli ******
totally agree
Like
Reply
Mark ********
Like
Reply
Mark ********
@Alli ******
Wow your intelligence is astounding ,i mean the intellect needed for you to copy my reply. I wish you luck with your struggle for enlightenment.
Like
Reply
Alli *******
@Mark *******
Get a real profile and stop hiding behind google images.

Keyboard warrior!
Like
Reply
Reply to
Alli *******
Reply
Bob *********
Did you ask the tiger for permission?
Like
Reply
Jay ******
@Bob ********
valid question since it’s not a mutual consent state 😂😂😂
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jay ******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.