It's no surprise that Phuket FantaSea's newest attraction, the Tiger Jungle Adventure, turns the staid concept of a small zoo into a grand spectacle of light and color and imagination. Constructed as a magical cave with several distinct settings, the fantastic zoo of the Tiger Jungle Adventure creates a storyline that pairs animals with traditional Thai legend -- albeit tweaked somewhat to suit the featured fauna. The end result is a fascinating sensory experience that makes a great addition to Phuket FantaSea's many entertainments.
"The Tiger Jungle Adventure is an original concept conceived by Phuket FantaSea's creator and Chief Executive Officer Kittikorn Kewkacha and was designed to offer guests of the park an original and entertaining experience not offered elsewhere in the world," explains Sirikun Ammaramornk, Phuket FantaSea's public relations director. "Since its opening on Sept. 1, 2007, the response from visitors has been quite positive, with many guests especially enjoying the Royal Tiger habitat. All of the animals featured in the Tiger Jungle Adventure come from Safari World in Bangkok and have specially constructed habitats inside the park grounds when the Tiger Jungle Adventure is closed."
Visitors enter to a scene with large South American frogs--big frogs. In the myth of the Tiger Jungle Adventure, they're singing to bring luck to the people traveling through the attraction. Immediately obvious is that the animals aren't there just to be observed. In this fantasy world, they're actors like the dancers and acrobats in other Phuket FantaSea attractions.
"Tiger Jungle Adventure ... features a fascinating array of exotic jungle creatures situated in a storybook setting," Khun Sirikun says. "Visitors are invited to embark on a mini walk-through safari through a delightful assortment of captivating scenes and habitats, offering surprises around every corner. Each scene throughout the Tiger Jungle Adventure is individually themed and has its own story, introducing guests to the mythical inhabitants of this Fantasy Kingdom."
The most enchanting scene is the sanctuary of love. Inside, the colours fade from dawn bright to nighttime dark, and it's a beautiful effect. The Tiger Jungle Adventure is full of visual delights, however. Half of the scenes are Earth-bound, set among the forest with frogs, snakes and deer. The last half ascends to heaven, with white sets and white lighting. A central Thai legend used in the attraction involves the makareepol fruit -- a woman in the myth but here represented by an elephant or a monkey. The climax comes with the last scene, a brilliant gold and orange palace for the tiger-king.
Phuket FantaSea, along Highway 4025 in Kamala Beach, is open 5.30 to 1.30pm Sundays through Saturdays, except Thursdays. www.phuket-fantasea.com. 076 381 111.