Unwelcome sunbather

A 2-metre-long crocodile is frequently seen lazing in the sun on a wooden jetty at Thao Sao community in Muang district Ratchaburi, causing safety concerns for local children.

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Hunt for sunbathing croc

Sunant Ochakchorn

RATCHABURI – Officials are hunting a crocodile after its appearance scared people living along the Maeklong River.

The search, led by forestry and fishery officials, entered the second day on Thursday when traps were erected and a boat sent out to try to find it. But there has been no sighting of the two-metre-long reptile. The Maeklong flows into the Gulf of Thailand through Samut Songkhram.

Songchat Prakulpanon, chief of Khao Prathap Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, said it is hoped the croc will return to its favourite place for "sunbathing" one day so that it can be caught.

The animal is frequently seen lazing in the sun on a wooden jetty at Thao Sao community in Muang district. The last time residents saw it was at 5pm on Tuesday. Residents say they are concerned for their children who want to go for a swim in the river during the school break.

Boonchu Narasri, a community member, said he was not afraid of the reptile, but added that his friends in the neighbourhood and children were getting worried about the danger it presents.

Community members alerted police on Tuesday but when a policeman went to the jetty with rescue workers, it had vanished.

Wildlife officials are waiting to catch the crocodile at the Tha Sao community.

Mr Songchat said crocs always return to places they are familiar with and advised the community residents to not disturb the animal as it could spoil the effort to catch it.

The crocodile could flee to a new place for good if it found that the jetty in the community was no longer safe, the official added.

Chanthip Bunluedet, chief of fisheries in Ratchaburi, said it needed to be caught as soon as possible for the safety of people along the river.

It is not known whether the croc has escaped from a crocodile farm in Ratchaburi or Kanchanaburi or lives naturally in the river.

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