Phuket’s Croc Cat‑and‑Mouse Game
It’s July 23, 2018, and a sneaky three‑metre‑long Siamese crocodile has been causing a ruckus along Phuket’s sandy shores. After popping up once near Rawai beach, it’s resurfaced in a string of spots along the Andaman Sea, eluding every local attempt to capture it.
Why the chase matters
Phuket draws millions of dream‑seeking tourists every year, and the pristine coastline is a magnet for every beach bum. A large, sandy reptile during sunset isn’t exactly the kind of scenery people want for their Instagram stories.
Who’s on the hunt?
- Local hunters have teamed up with a growing squad of trackers.
- Thawee Thongcha, the mayor of Karon, admits they nearly nabbed the croc just metres from the beach, but the slippery survivor slipped back into the waves.
- Marine biologists warn that this might be a hybrid salt‑water croc bred on a farm, which explains its presence on the open sea.
Some facts that make this a headline
- The creature is roughly two metres long.
- Its species is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list.
- Thailand’s wild croc populations now survive only in a handful of national parks.
- Last January, a French tourist got a croc bite after attempting a selfie near a national park.
- In 2014, a Thai woman tragically left a farm pond of crocs in a fatal act of despair.
With monsoon seas chessing out nets and a mysterious hybrid in sight, Phuket’s crocodile chase feels almost like a thriller movie—just without the special effects. The pursuit goes on, and meanwhile, the beaches remain safe (for the most part) as locals and visitors alike keep an eye on that elusive reptile. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this reptilian drama!
