Search for Phuket croc turns to Bang Tao estuaries, reward offered

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong today (July 27) visited the area for updates on the hunt, which now has at least steel-cage traps set to catch the croc – using chickens as bait.

Meanwhile, officials remain posted along the beach since the croc was spotted by drone to be in the area yesterday. (See story here.)

Governor Norrphat also called on local residents to report any sightings to officials so that the crocodile could be caught as quickly as possible.

They were also warned if they kept chickens or stores of fish near their houses.

A reward will be offered to any tip-offs that led to the crocodile being caught, Gov Norraphat added.

“The province has made every effort to do the best we can to ensure a good image,” Gov Norraphat said.

“Red flags warning people of no swimming have been posted along the beach and small boats are being refused permission to enter the area,” he said.

“We have set up an Operations Center at the Layan Beach office of the Sirinath National Park and we have patrols searching for the crocodile, even by air,” he added.

“Also, the size of this crocodile is estimated to be 1.5 meters long, which the Kraithong Lumnamtapi team (of Dept of Fisheries experts from Surat Thani) said could be caught be hand at close range.

“We have also ordered every person who keeps crocodiles privately to register with the provincial office by Aug 10,” he added

“Protection and surveillance is the best we can do for now for everyone, including tourists, and we need everyone’s help to bring this issue to a close,” Gpv Norraphat concluded.

Of note, the area where the crocdile is being searched for now includes Leypang Beach, where the mixed-species crocodiles - now also called Leypang and now on show at Phuket Zoo - was caught in Septmeber last year. (See stories here and here.)