Giant water monitor taken into custody! Locals cover it in powder to discern lottery numbers

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported that two rescue foundations in Nakhon Sri Thammarat in southern Thailand were called after an old man in a house in Khlang sub-district heard his dog barking at a giant water monitor.

 

Prasit, 89, was worried that his dog would get attacked by the fierce creature.

 

The animal did not come quietly.

 

The rescue teams utilizing nooses on the end of PVC poles couldn't get him at first but used some bait to distract him.

 

But he got away again and took up residence in a wall that had to be partially knocked down with a hammer.

 

Finally after an hour the 50 kilogram specimen was bound up and only slightly injured.

 

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Locals then asked permission of the animal - a kind of Thai tradition - and covered parts of it in powder to try and discern numbers for the next draw in the lottery (June 1st).

 

The appearance of such creatures in houses is seen as auspicious and an omen for lottery wins, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

Water monitors - tua ngern tua thong in Thai or more vulgarly "tua hia" - are a protected species in Thailand. 

 

Once vilified and even attacked they are now seen as more of a lucky thing.

 

Prasit said he thought the creature came from woods behind his house and was looking for food. 

 

 

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[TheFishman1]

Amazing Thailand TIT

[The Hammer2021]

Poor thing!

[Pmbkk]

That's not giant - go to Lumpini Park in Bangkok and you'll see bigger ones everyday !

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Locals then asked permission of the animal - a kind of Thai tradition - and covered parts of it in powder to try and discern numbers for the next draw in the lottery

blessed are the meek.

[Rhys]

At least once a week I see them next to the canal by the house, followed by a big splash back to the water..

 

[Pmbkk]

3 hours ago, Pmbkk said:

That's not giant - go to Lumpini Park in Bangkok and you'll see bigger ones everyday !

 

Beautiful creatures...

[billd766]

3 hours ago, Pmbkk said:

That's not giant - go to Lumpini Park in Bangkok and you'll see bigger ones everyday !

It all depends, if it is in your garden and your dog might be its lunch.

[Mac Mickmanus]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The appearance of such creatures in houses is seen as auspicious and an omen for lottery wins, notes ASEAN NOW.

That seems to get written in every story that involves animals 

[metisdead]

Some derogatory posts and replies have been removed.

[Lucky Bones]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

blessed are the meek.

Yes. Blessed are the cheese makers.

Let's go to the stoning.

[brianthainess]

Covering a amphibian in powder seems rather like animal cruelty, It's their tails you have to watch they use them like a whip.

[Doctor Tom]

15 hours ago, billd766 said:

It all depends, if it is in your garden and your dog might be its lunch.

The ones near us run away from our two Shih Tzus, albeit that may not remain their reaction.  As the things can climb vertical walls, its impossible to keep them out. 

[The Hammer2021]

21 hours ago, mustaphawanc said:

I can’t believe I choose to live in the same country as them ????

You are privileged that you are allowed to live in the  same country  as them