Lopburi Crocodile Scare Debunked, Giant Monitor Lizard Caught
Authorities in Lopburi have debunked reports of a crocodile in the Lopburi River after a detailed search found no evidence of the reptile. A large monitor lizard was caught in a trap cage instead, and experts confirmed the tracks belonged to the lizard, not a crocodile. Officials will continue surveillance and have set up hotlines for the public to report any future sightings.
Concerns have been eased. The Pa Sak Dam crocodile capture team inspected tracks and confirmed "not a crocodile" while maintaining strict surveillance measures for safety and to build confidence, after villagers panicked over news of a crocodile appearing in the Lopburi River.
On October 22, 2026, following the case where Lopburi River villagers were thrown into panic after reports of a crocodile in the Lopburi River near the Wat Tako waterway in Kong Thanu Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lopburi Province, officials urgently searched continuously while warning residents to be cautious.
Latest on this matter, Mr. Sanga Khamphan from the Lopburi Provincial Fisheries Office, together with the Pa Sak Cholasit Dam Freshwater Fisheries Protection and Suppression Unit, Saraburi, led by Mr. Chusak Norliap, head of the unit, along with a team of experts in catching crocodiles in natural water sources and coordinated staff from relevant agencies, went into the field to conduct a detailed search once again to build confidence and reduce panic among the public.
Officials stated that from a detailed inspection of every area reported by the public in the surrounding vicinity, as of now no crocodile has been found residing in the Lopburi River as claimed. Since October 18, 2026, to clear doubts about the crocodile sighting reports in the Lopburi River and to build confidence in safety prevention for the public, officials deployed trap cages. They found a large monitor lizard caught in the cage.
Together with the Pa Sak Cholasit Dam Freshwater Fisheries Protection and Suppression Unit, Saraburi, which has expertise in catching crocodiles in natural water sources, they examined tracks and gave information in the same direction: that it was a large monitor lizard that came up to feed on land. They therefore ask the public to ease their worries. However, officials have laid out an operational plan together with community leaders and surveillance teams in the area continuously.
Furthermore, if a crocodile matching media reports is found, officials are ready to apprehend and relocate it from the water source immediately for the utmost safety of the public. And if none is found, a community surveillance team will be established to monitor closely. If any clues or suspicious objects are found in the future, they can be reported directly to the Lopburi Provincial Fisheries Office at 036-770209 or Lopburi Provincial Fisheries (hotline): 061-4177981, and strictly follow official advice to jointly create safety and peace for the community.
