Sak spoke after a meeting at City Hall with the officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation’s Protected Area Regional Office 3 (Ban Pong) to prepare transport for the tigers.

Sak said the transfer was necessary given reports that the temple is in process of applying for a permit to build a zoo, and has asked to keep 70 tigers. He affirmed that procedures would be in line with the law, so there should be no problem.

The two hour-long meeting ended with a conclusion that the tigers would be removed from Monday May 30.

Sak also noted the department’s previous agreement to let the temple keep the tigers and claims the temple might ask for a fee for taking care of the tigers, saying all should uphold the law.

This Buddhist monastery, which has become known as an animal sanctuary and tiger-breeding facility, has long been accused by animal rights activists of mistreating tigers for commercial gain and even trafficking some of its animals.

But all previous attempts to remove the tigers have failed or been delayed.