Huge crocs force closure of campsite in Khao Yai

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:02 pm

Campsite closed after sightings
Published: 5/09/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: NewsOfficials have declared a popular campsite at Khao Yai National Park off-limits due to a rising threat from crocodiles.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation yesterday ordered the temporary closure of the Pha Kluay Mai campsite and surrounding Lam Takhong creek following recent news reports that tourists have spotted a couple of two-metre long crocodiles in the vicinity.

The department also organised a search for the dangerous reptiles by national park staff.

Kasemsant Jinnawaso, the department's director-general, said national park staff heard that two crocodiles were living around Lamtakhong creek but their frequent searches were fruitless.

But the department was alarmed by the size of the crocodile reportedly photographed by tourists.

For this reason it was decided to close the area so a search for the crocodiles could be carried out more effectively.

Khao Yai staff have also put up more "beware of crocodiles" signs to warn tourists.

The department wanted to capture the two reptiles to learn if they were the rare freshwater Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis).

However, Panthep Rattanakorn, dean of Mahidol University's faculty of veterinary science, said the two crocodiles must have been bred in captivity at a farm rather than be wild freshwater crocodiles.

Khao Yai has never been a natural habitat for crocodiles, Mr Panthep said.

According to the WWF Thailand, Klong Chompoo basin in Phitsanulok province and Kang Krachan national park in Phetchaburi province are the last remaining habitats for freshwater crocodiles in the country.

Source - Bangkok Post

Must have been a bit surreal for the campers that spotted them, "Are they supposed to be here?", "Oh! Look darling! The park warden is doing a runner!"

On a slightly more serious note, lucky that someones kid didn't get eaten. Just never know what to expect here, I mean, go to a national park at the weekend and 2 meter crocs don't even come into your mind.

Post by **shunpike** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:56 pm

Spitfire wrote:

Just never know what to expect here, I mean, go to a national park at the weekend and 2 meter crocs don't even come into your mind.

er..this is a tropical country, a habitat to all manner of snakes and lizards. I see constrictors and big monitor lizards in my moo baan in bkk, I would assume a national park would be full of such things. Crocs, why not? They are native to Thailand.

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 11:14 pm

shunpike wrote: Crocs, why not? They are native to Thailand.

Technically, yes, but at national park camp sites........hmmmm......sure it's a surprise to the Thais as well, I doubt they are in the park management's grand designs. As said in the report, freshwater crocs are extremely rare in Thailand and mentions there is only one natural habitat left for them, which is a long way from Khao Yai. I suppose I was speculating on where they could have come from or how they got there.

Post by **STEVE G** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 11:20 pm

Yes, crocodiles and campsites doesn't sound like an ideal combination, not from the campers point of view anyway!

Post by **shunpike** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 11:43 pm

Yes...but the allure of camping is being close to nature, no?? Nature bites. It should at least be on your mind to be wary of dangerous wildlife if you are camping in a jungle national park, yes? (crocs or no crocs)

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:04 am

Haha.......hmmmm.......again, perhaps, but I bet that's not on the mind of your average Thai "happy camper" along with having an "action man" approach to it.

Fair play though dude.

Post by **shunpike** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:41 am

Cheers Spitfire...

My wife's an avid camper, but I tend to limit my adventures to 3 stars or above on the hotel scale now. Getting on you know...like my reptiles up close, on the Discovery channel.

Post by **splitlid** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:55 am

2m freshwater..........soft

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 6:24 am

Bet we'll see the theme in a Thai soap coming up shortly.

Pete

Post by **f0xxee** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 8:45 am

Have you never noticed the annual croc-bites-tourist news reports from Australia? (nearly always a honeymooning couple, usually American or German) Is there not a crocodile farm not far from Rayong, which is a short distance away?
Folks, the topical mangroves, mudflats and esturies are where these guys live. Be aware of them.
PS: 2 metre crocs are small. When they get up to 4 metres they are really terrifying.

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:22 am

f0xxee wrote:Have you never noticed the annual croc-bites-tourist news reports from Australia? (nearly always a honeymooning couple, usually American or German) Is there not a crocodile farm not far from Rayong, which is a short distance away?
Folks, the topical mangroves, mudflats and esturies are where these guys live. Be aware of them.
PS: 2 metre crocs are small. When they get up to 4 metres they are really terrifying.

The big croc farm and resident wild population is in Samat Prakhan which encompasses the tidal flats and hundreds of klongs on the coast between Chonburi and Bangkok. The Bang Pakhon river reaches the coast in that area and possible for a croc I guess to go up it and end up near Khao Yai park. Quite a trip though. Many instances of crocs escaping captivity in Samat Prakhan during past monsoon seasons and not all are ever recaptured. I think the last big problem was about 2005 when hundreds escaped into the wild.

Nothing in Rayong which is a further 100 km+ east, although northern Rayong province is part of a forest reserve/national park which links up geographically with Khao Yai. Pete

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:37 am

Here you go. Wouldn't want to run into this guy when going for a dip.

Pete

Officials from the Samut Prakan crocodile zoo pose next to Chai Yai, the world's largest captive crocodile, June 10, 2000, during celebrations marking Chai Yai's 28th birthday. At six metres in length and weighing about 1,114 kilograms, Chai Yai has been recognized by the Guiness book of World Records as the largest captive crocodile and celebrated its birthday with a feast of whole chickens and fish. Photo by Jason Reed (Reuters)

Post by **Khundon1975** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 6:29 pm

There is a good few handbags and shoes to be got from that one.

I'll get my coat.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:34 am

Probably NOT Crocodylus siamensis.

But.............

A couple of months ago, we were on a fishing trip, on board Pla Yai Mee Tee Nai (Our tour boat) on Kaeng Krachan Dam.

We had gone way up the Petchaburi River source to a quiet spot that we know. For sure there are very large Pla Shado (Giant Snakehead Murrel) in that location.
On this occasion we were surprised by a huge splash behind us followed by a large submerged creature swimming off and away from us. Nobody actually saw what it was, but it would have made a great scene fom a horror movie.

Large Pla Shado?

Loch Ness Monster?

Crocodylus Siamensis?

Who knows?

Anyone up for Croc Spotting Tours?

Post by **migrant** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:43 pm

Terry wrote:a large submerged creature swimming off and away from us. Nobody actually saw what it was, but it would have made a great scene fom a horror movie.

Sorry

didn't mean to disturb you!!