ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Australian Man Arrested After Going Into Phuket Zoo To Feed Animals

Australian Man Arrested After Going Into Phuket Zoo To Feed Animals

Minh Nguyen was charged with trespassing on private property and breaching Thailand's Computer Crimes Act

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

An Australian man who believed he'd stumbled across an abandoned zoo has been arrested for allegedly trespassing.

Minh Nguyen, who has raised over $45,000 after setting up a GoFundMe page to help look after the animals, was with three friends when they were all arrested by police in Phuket, Thailand.

According to MailOnline, the group were charged with trespassing on private property and breaching Thailand's Computer Crimes Act.

Mr Nguyen has been helping to feed the animals.
YouTube/minh nguyen

Mr Nguyen's lawyer has claimed that the incident was a 'misunderstanding' because the group were told by the zoo owner's mother that they were allowed to enter the premises to feed the animals.

Mr Nguyen said: "When we did get charged and arrested, the older brother and mother (of the owner) came down to be witnesses for us.

"There is a bit of a divide among the shareholders as to how the zoo should run. I'll be going to court on May 25. That's when I will know if they want to make a case of it or not, but I doubt they will... I just want to help the animals."

The alligator enclosure.
YouTube/minh nguyen

Mr Nguyen has been sharing videos on his YouTube channel and Instagram ever since he first stumbled across Phuket Zoo. After setting up the fundraising page, he wanted to continue to show those who had donated what their money was going towards.

But, speaking to Daily Mail Australia, he said it turned out his good intentions only resulted in the police knocking on his door because the zoo owner had become aware of the videos that were being posted.

Mr Nguyen initially said that he had spoken to the zoo's owner and was told that they couldn't afford to feed the animals - a claim that has since been rubbished by the owner, who told a local newspaper that 'the animals were not left to starve'.

This led to Phuket wildlife authorities doing an inspection where they found 'the zoo has enough food to feed the animals,' adding that the animals were in 'perfect condition'.

The tiger enclosure in one of the initial videos.
YouTube/minh nguyen

On the GoFundMe page, Mr Nguyen made it clear that he didn't want to create hostility towards the zoo's owners or 'point any fingers about who did what'.

The page goes on to explain: "Our purpose and end goal is to save the animals and have them rehabilitated/rescued safely. Please help in any way you can. All proceeds will go towards saving and rescuing these animals."

LADbible has contacted the zoo for comment.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/minh nguyen

Topics: World News, News, Thailand, Animals