Flooding sweeping across parts of Thailand isn’t just disrupting tourism and daily life, it’s also creating a dangerous new problem: giant snakes and crocodiles showing up in residential areas and flooded destinations.
Crocodile Shot Dead Near Residential Area
In Sanam Chai Khet District, Chachoengsao Province, a crocodile measuring roughly two meters long was found roaming near residents’ homes on Thursday, October 1. Officials shot and killed the crocodile after determining it posed a serious safety risk to local residents.
Residents of Ban Bang Phaniang 2 Village in Khu Yai Mi Subdistrict also reported crocodile sightings as floodwaters continued to spread through the area.
Provincial council member Udon Thepwatee shared details of the operation in a Facebook post, noting that officers from the Sanam Chai Khet Police Station were involved in the response.
“The crocodile has been shot dead. Thank you to the Sanam Chai Khet police officers,” Udon wrote, as quoted by the Bangkok Post.
Authorities Warn Residents to Stay Out of Floodwaters
Thai authorities had previously warned residents against entering floodwaters, fishing, or approaching irrigation canals and flooded areas. This warning was issued specifically because rising water levels can force reptiles and other aquatic animals out of their natural habitats and into populated areas, exactly the kind of scenario now playing out across multiple provinces.
Snakes Spotted Swimming Through Bangkok Streets
Wildlife encounters have also emerged in Bangkok itself. Rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters within 48 hours triggered severe flooding across the Thai capital. Photos and videos showing snakes swimming through floodwaters and even crossing streets have since circulated widely on social media.
Wildlife Park Animals Also Affected
The flooding has impacted other animals as well. Ten babirusa (pig-deer) were rescued at Siam Amazing Park, while several others were found dead at the same location, highlighting the broader toll flooding has taken on captive and wild animals alike.
Crocodiles Escape a Farm as Waters Rise
In another province, four crocodiles measuring around two meters each reportedly escaped from a farm after floodwaters rose. Meanwhile, flooding also threatened the safety of a giant crocodile kept at a temple in Prachinburi Province, setting the stage for a dramatic rescue operation.
A Temple Crocodile’s Dramatic Rescue
On Sunday, September 27, Si Maha Phot District Chief Juthamas Buaphuean received a request for assistance from the management of Wat Pho Thong temple, asking for help evacuating a crocodile whose enclosure had become flooded.
According to The Straits Times, Juthamas coordinated with the Fisheries Department, volunteer rescuers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, and local residents to carry out the relocation.
Rescue workers bound the crocodile’s jaw and legs with rope before moving it onto the road. They then used a crane mounted on a truck to lift the animal onto a transport vehicle for relocation.
Meet Nuea Thong, the 27-Year-Old Temple Crocodile
The crocodile, named Nuea Thong, is 27 years old, measures over four meters in length, and weighs more than 400 kilograms, making this a particularly challenging and high-stakes rescue operation given the animal’s size.
Floodwater around its enclosure had reached approximately 1.3 meters. Rescue workers transported Nuea Thong to a temporary shelter in a different subdistrict, located about 20 kilometers from the temple, in an area that remained unaffected by flooding.
Relief for Temple Staff and Local Residents
The successful relocation brought a sense of relief to the temple’s head monk, local residents, and rescue workers alike. They had previously worried that the crocodile might escape its enclosure and enter the Prachin Buri River if floodwaters continued rising, a scenario that could have posed serious risks to nearby communities and waterway users.
Thailand’s Broader Flood Response
The Thai government has since taken steps to reduce the broader impact of the flooding on daily life. Several schools have been closed, and residents have been encouraged to work from home. These measures have left Bangkok’s streets and public transportation networks noticeably quieter than usual.
What This Means for Residents and Travelers
For anyone currently in or traveling to flood-affected areas of Thailand, these incidents serve as a serious reminder to heed official warnings about avoiding floodwaters, irrigation canals, and standing water, not just because of typical flood hazards like contamination or strong currents, but now with the added risk of encountering displaced wildlife, including potentially dangerous reptiles pushed out of their natural habitats by rising waters.
As flooding continues to affect multiple provinces, authorities are likely to remain on alert for further wildlife encounters, particularly in low-lying residential and agricultural areas where reptiles and other animals may seek higher ground among human populations.
