Thai villagers alarmed by crocodile-like tracks in river

KANCHANABURI — 29 April 2026, Villagers in Kanchanaburi province are on edge after large, crocodile-like footprints were found on a sandbank in the Mae Klong River, prompting an urgent inspection by officials.

Residents of Moo 3 in Wai Niao subdistrict, Tha Maka district, reported discovering the tracks on a mid-river islet, raising concerns among people living nearby. Community leaders have contacted the provincial fisheries office to verify the findings.

Naruenart Kongkaew, who first spotted the tracks, said he and friends had gone to the area when water levels dropped enough to allow access to the islet. There, they found marks resembling the drag of a large animal's body across the ground, along with deep clawed footprints leading into the water.

"The size was clearly larger than a person's body. It doesn't look like a monitor lizard," he said, adding that locals are now afraid to enter the water.

Later, Chalermphon Hongyon, head of a regional water rescue unit, inspected the area and found two large burrows. The surrounding ground showed signs of heavy disturbance, consistent with a large animal moving in and out of the water. He said body marks suggested a creature measuring at least 4 metres in length.

Villagers in nearby Ban Pong Tuek also reported finding a similar burrow about 3 metres deep, with matching traces.

Chalermphon said crocodiles typically bask on land during the day and retreat to burrows at night. However, he cautioned that it remains unconfirmed whether the animal is indeed a crocodile, pending a detailed inspection by fisheries officials.

In the meantime, the village head has issued a warning urging residents and fishermen to avoid the riverbank and refrain from entering the water until the species is identified, citing potential danger.