Mystery creature?

[solomon david]

Was crossing a river bridge near koh San today and out of the corner of my eye noticed something in the water heading in my direction

As it got nearer it was like some sort of small crocodile or alligator kind of thing maybe 6 feet long and had snake like fangs

Dark brown in colour with silvery type hoops

Saw something similar in malake Malaysia a few years ago 

Anyone know what it  was? 

 

[impulse]

Water monitor...

 

[Solinvictus]

Funny as normally thats what I overhear Thais say when I'm near. 'Toa arai wa.' What creature/animal is this?! Now, if they call you 'monitor lizard' in Thai, that might a bit more concerning.

 

Take away point is, they can call each other 'monitor lizards' but don't you ever do it. ???? That is the button. ????????

[northsouthdevide]

It's a monitor lizard, 

The Thais call it, and once again, forgive my spelling as I'm writing it as I hear it spoken in Thai... Tungn tungtong 

[Yinn]

 

[Davo369]

Probably a dinosaur 

[Speedo1968]

Have seen these on the streets near khlongs in Bangkok.

There used to be a family of 3 at the back of a hotel in Happyland, the khlong was cleaned ( wasn't really dirty if the monitors could live there ! ) and the water monitors disappeared.

[cornishcarlos]

8 hours ago, Davo369 said:

Probably a dinosaur 

 

Thai politicians can't swim apparently !!!

[Andrew Dwyer]

Commonly known as “ hia “ and, as stated, a good name to call someone you don’t like but DO be prepared to run !!

 

Usually see one or two on our daily walks round a nearby lake, I like’em !!...... but couldn’t eat a whole one !!

[DaLa]

Reports from Scotland say there hasn't been a sighting of the Loch Ness monster in years.  I had a sneaky feeling the creature had moved on to some where warmer.

[garygooner]

Wouldn't be at all surprised if my ex has changed into a creepy disgusting water dwelling creature. Thankfully I moved apartments. 

[Bob A Kneale]

16 hours ago, solomon david said:

As it got nearer it was like some sort of small crocodile or alligator kind of thing maybe 6 feet long and had snake like fangs

Either it wasn't a water monitor or it didn't have "fangs"!   Maybe you're referring to it's snake-like forked tongue?

Edited May 19, 2020 by Bob A Kneale

[overherebc]

On 5/19/2020 at 9:52 AM, DaLa said:

Reports from Scotland say there hasn't been a sighting of the Loch Ness monster in years.  I had a sneaky feeling the creature had moved on to some where warmer.

In Scotland they do a little jig when they meet.

[Andrew Dwyer]

“Hia’s” ( pun intended ) one i came across a couple of hours ago. He was about 2 metres long but scampered away quickly as I tried to get close enough for a decent photo !!

 

 

 

[poskat]

most likely a gecko that was mutated by the covid virus.

did you happen to notice if it was wearing a mask?

[solomon david]

Looked fairly benign but was still glad I waS on the bridge rather than in the river when it swam past

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, solomon david said:

Looked fairly benign but was still glad I waS on the bridge rather than in the river when it swam past

They tend to get away as fast as possible when they see you.  I would imagine a nasty bite or similar if you crept up and tried to cuddle one though. They do serve a good purpose in getting rid of other dead smelly animals. Natures 'bin-men'

[pineapple01]

Thakskin sneakin back.

[shadowofacloud]

That was the Thai economy, rapidly going under.

[Tarteso]

A Monitor lizard... perhaps? 

[Oxx]

Most likely a naga.  Particularly common in the north east, but not unheard of elsewhere.  Known for making fireballs in their spare time.

 

 

[pineapple01]

I havnt seen them since i stopped drinking

[salsajapan]

Just landed ? right ?

 

[Jaxxper]

Was this anywhere near Loch Ness ? 

[LeoCesar]

did it resemble anyone of these fellows?

https://www.google.com/search?q=water+monitor&rlz=1C1EXJR_enSE888SE888&sxsrf=ALeKk00e5q4xN0bxGGD2xoLPF_i3v6Wb8g:1590160355381&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih4_j44MfpAhXuxcQBHSPYAQUQ_AUoAXoECBcQAw&biw=1280&bih=610

[Mace648]

As others have said it was most likely a Monitor l lizard. They are very common near lakes and rivers and in fact you can see hundreds of them in Lumpini Park in the middle of Bangkok.

[Foexie]

^{Luckly your clear pic was a big help 55555}

[dense dumbpling sepo]

best to keep as far away as possible from these backpackers

[brianthainess]

On 5/21/2020 at 3:06 PM, overherebc said:

I would imagine a nasty bite or similar if you crept up and tried to cuddle one

They use their tail like a bull whip, seen a small one being annoyed by a few puppies, it carried on walking slowly, whipping its tail at them.

[solomon david]

Saw another one(same 0ne?) a few days ago in same river

Edited May 28, 2020 by solomon david