Going north – Elusive Phuket crocodile avoids capture again

Phuket’s latest elusive crocodile escaped catch this morning off Karon Beach. It was first sighted off Yanui and Nai Harn beaches from Wednesday this week when a fisherman said it tried to chase him. Since then the crocodile has been taunting officials and professional crocodile catchers and making a slow track north long the island’s west coach beaches – yesterday at Kata Noi and then Kata. Today it’s been sighted, with ongoing attempts to capture it, at Karon Beach.

The crocodile was seen early this morning (July 22) lying on the beach at Karon.

Karon Deputy Mayor Ittipohn Sangkaew says, “we didn’t see this crocodile on Kata and Karon beaches yesterday. But very early this early morning at 3.30am, we were notified that the crocodile came out of the water and was on the sand at Karon Beach.”

“The crocodile catching team (from Surat Thani) rushed to the beach. They tried to throw a net at the crocodile but failed to snare the reptile. Their attempts failed several times. The crocodile immediately went back into the water.”

“We have seen the crocodile in the water several times. Everytime it comes out of the water we try to catch it.”

“We have seen the crocodile about four times in the water. Swimmers have been prevented from going into the sea at Karon Beach today.”