A hunt has been launched for a huge crocodile on the loose in the sea off Bang Tao beach in Phuket for fear that the reptile may harm tourists and locals.
Phuket governor Norapat Plodthong and fishery officials on Wednesday (Aug 30) made an inspection trip to Lepang beach which is located between Bang Tao and Layan beaches where a three-metre long crocodile was sighted swimming in the sea.
Phuket Gazette reported on Aug 28 that a group of foreigners spotted the crocodile last Friday (Aug 25) and a Phuket expat named “Mike” took a video clip of the croc with his son’s drone camera.
A crocodile was also sighted by hotel staff and tourists during the same period and it was assumed that it was the same crocodile.
Governor Norapat said he had ordered fishery officials to try to locate and capture the crocodile which he believes to be a fresh-water species.
Meanwhile, the Marine and Coastal Resources Department deputy director-general Sopon Thongdee ordered experts of the department to join in the hunt for the reptile.
He said the crocodile must be captured because it poses a threat to locals and tourists alike.
The crocodile is likely to be a fresh-water species because no saltwater crocodiles have been sighted for many years, said Mr Sopon, adding that officials must also try to find out where the crocodile came from – from any crocodile farm.
Thon Thamrongnawasawat, vice dean of Kasetsart University’s Fisheries Faculty, said it was likely the crocodile could be a saltwater or freshwater species that escaped from one of the farms in the province.
Crocodile on the loose in the sea off Phuket?s Bang Tao beach - Thai PBS English News