Crocodile Spotted in Lopburi River; Officials Hunt Round the Clock
A crocodile sighting in the Lopburi River near Wat Tago has sparked fear among residents in Kong Thanu subdistrict. Provincial fisheries officials and local authorities are conducting round-the-clock searches, deploying baited traps and patrolling by boat. Residents have been warned to stay away from the riverbanks while the operation continues.
Lopburi: A crocodile surfaced in the middle of the Lopburi River, alarming riverside residents. Provincial fisheries officers have launched a 24-hour search, setting traps baited with live chickens and issuing strict warnings against entering the river. Authorities are examining footprints and tail-drag marks found near Wat Tago in Kong Thanu subdistrict, while joint teams continue day-and-night patrols.
October 21, 2026 – Local leaders, village heads, and assistant village heads reported seeing a crocodile surface in the Lopburi River near Wat Tago in Kong Thanu subdistrict, Mueang Lopburi district. They also found footprints resembling a crocodile’s and a long tail-drag trail, causing panic among communities along the river, though it remained unconfirmed whether the animal was real.
Initially, the Lopburi Provincial Fisheries Office sent photos of the tracks for detailed verification, while relevant agencies issued public warnings as a precaution. Mr. Sangha KamSing, Lopburi Provincial Fisheries Officer, and Mr. SomSuk ChamPhatip, Kong Thanu Subdistrict Headman, together with staff from the Provincial and District Fisheries Offices, village heads, assistant headmen, and local volunteers, deployed to monitor and search for the crocodile around the clock.
Although no one has captured clear photographic evidence, authorities continue searching possible hiding spots along the river to ensure public safety and reassure residents. The Provincial Fisheries Office has now positioned sturdy steel cages at suspected feeding or resting spots, baited with live chickens, and is also conducting boat patrols along various stretches of the river.
Officials have also interviewed residents on both banks; most families have forbidden children and grandchildren from playing near the banks or swimming in the river, especially during the school break when children tend to gather there. As a result, both riverbanks have fallen unusually quiet, and even local fishermen who once cast nets or caught fish have become scarce.
To maintain confidence among riverside communities, the joint search operation continues day and night with rotating shifts, and may persist for some time. If the crocodile is not found, the search may eventually be suspended, as the animal could have moved to another area connected to the Lopburi River network. Meanwhile, warnings and safety advisories remain in effect for all waterfront areas.
