Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Bangkok’s iconic monitor lizards have received a supersized tribute with the installation of a massive foam statue in Lumphini Park, offering tourists and locals a chance to snap selfies with one of the city's most misunderstood residents. This temporary installation celebrates the urban scavenger that plays a crucial role in Bangkok’s ecosystem.

 

Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Sanon Wangsangboon, spoke to Daily News, acknowledging the high public demand for such an attraction. "On average, 100 to 200 visitors, both Thai and foreign, ask staff daily where they can spot a monitor lizard or take a photo,” he stated. “Now we’ve got a landmark to make that easier.”

 

Originally part of Seacon Bangkae’s Guardians of the Garden exhibition held from February 26 to March 9, the foam statue was donated by Seacon to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. It's been strategically placed at Suan Bueng Lake within Lumphini Park, opposite the palm plantation.

 

The monitor lizard, or hia in Thai, does more than just attract selfies; it's a symbol of the city's often-overlooked urban environment. Sanon explained, "The monitor lizard isn’t just an animal; it’s part of the city’s environmental story." An informational board accompanies the statue, educating visitors about the species' ecological role and legal protection under Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2019. The law strictly prohibits hunting or harming these creatures, imposing penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a 1 million baht fine.

 

Despite their fierce appearance, monitor lizards are vital scavengers, controlling populations of rats and clearing dead animals, contributing to a healthier urban ecosystem. Found throughout Southeast Asia, they excel at swimming and climbing and generally keep to themselves unless threatened.

 

The installation is slated to remain in place until mid-May, coinciding with the BKK Expo on May 17. Permanent placement will depend on further discussions and possible private sector involvement.

 

While the whimsical installation draws crowds, the city maintains control over live monitor lizard populations in parks and attends to sightings in residential zones. Visitors are advised not to feed wild animals to help sustain Bangkok’s delicate urban ecosystem.

 

Lumphini Park is open to visitors daily from 4.30am to 10pm, providing ample opportunity to see the statue and understand the broader environmental narrative it represents.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-02

 

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Bangkok’s iconic monitor lizards have received a supersized tribute with the installation of a massive foam statue in Lumphini Park, offering tourists and locals a chance to snap selfies with one of the city's most misunderstood residents. This temporary installation celebrates the urban scavenger that plays a crucial role in Bangkok’s ecosystem.

 

Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Sanon Wangsangboon, spoke to Daily News, acknowledging the high public demand for such an attraction. "On average, 100 to 200 visitors, both Thai and foreign, ask staff daily where they can spot a monitor lizard or take a photo,” he stated. “Now we’ve got a landmark to make that easier.”

 

Originally part of Seacon Bangkae’s Guardians of the Garden exhibition held from February 26 to March 9, the foam statue was donated by Seacon to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. It's been strategically placed at Suan Bueng Lake within Lumphini Park, opposite the palm plantation.

 

The monitor lizard, or hia in Thai, does more than just attract selfies; it's a symbol of the city's often-overlooked urban environment. Sanon explained, "The monitor lizard isn’t just an animal; it’s part of the city’s environmental story." An informational board accompanies the statue, educating visitors about the species' ecological role and legal protection under Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2019. The law strictly prohibits hunting or harming these creatures, imposing penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a 1 million baht fine.

 

Despite their fierce appearance, monitor lizards are vital scavengers, controlling populations of rats and clearing dead animals, contributing to a healthier urban ecosystem. Found throughout Southeast Asia, they excel at swimming and climbing and generally keep to themselves unless threatened.

 

The installation is slated to remain in place until mid-May, coinciding with the BKK Expo on May 17. Permanent placement will depend on further discussions and possible private sector involvement.

 

While the whimsical installation draws crowds, the city maintains control over live monitor lizard populations in parks and attends to sightings in residential zones. Visitors are advised not to feed wild animals to help sustain Bangkok’s delicate urban ecosystem.

 

Lumphini Park is open to visitors daily from 4.30am to 10pm, providing ample opportunity to see the statue and understand the broader environmental narrative it represents.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-02

 

 

Wonderful 😊 

Roped off beautifully...

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"On average, 100 to 200 visitors, both Thai and foreign, ask staff daily where they can spot a monitor lizard or take a photo,” he stated. “Now we’ve got a landmark to make that easier.”

😂 If you can't spot one without asking, you are in the wrong park 😂 

What a load of lies. It's the BIBs' AI robot!

And how many days do we give it until someone gets up on its back for a photo. Taking bets now 🤣

Its  first media appearance in below footage several years ago.

 

 

Looks good.

Why do all the parks in Thailand look so unnatural and boring? Is there really no one who can design and build a beautiful park? 

Dedicated to politicians around the world.

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Bangkok’s iconic monitor lizards have received a supersized tribute with the installation of a massive foam statue in Lumphini Park, offering tourists and locals a chance to snap selfies with one of the city's most misunderstood residents. This temporary installation celebrates the urban scavenger that plays a crucial role in Bangkok’s ecosystem.

 

Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Sanon Wangsangboon, spoke to Daily News, acknowledging the high public demand for such an attraction. "On average, 100 to 200 visitors, both Thai and foreign, ask staff daily where they can spot a monitor lizard or take a photo,” he stated. “Now we’ve got a landmark to make that easier.”

 

Originally part of Seacon Bangkae’s Guardians of the Garden exhibition held from February 26 to March 9, the foam statue was donated by Seacon to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. It's been strategically placed at Suan Bueng Lake within Lumphini Park, opposite the palm plantation.

 

The monitor lizard, or hia in Thai, does more than just attract selfies; it's a symbol of the city's often-overlooked urban environment. Sanon explained, "The monitor lizard isn’t just an animal; it’s part of the city’s environmental story." An informational board accompanies the statue, educating visitors about the species' ecological role and legal protection under Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2019. The law strictly prohibits hunting or harming these creatures, imposing penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a 1 million baht fine.

 

Despite their fierce appearance, monitor lizards are vital scavengers, controlling populations of rats and clearing dead animals, contributing to a healthier urban ecosystem. Found throughout Southeast Asia, they excel at swimming and climbing and generally keep to themselves unless threatened.

 

The installation is slated to remain in place until mid-May, coinciding with the BKK Expo on May 17. Permanent placement will depend on further discussions and possible private sector involvement.

 

While the whimsical installation draws crowds, the city maintains control over live monitor lizard populations in parks and attends to sightings in residential zones. Visitors are advised not to feed wild animals to help sustain Bangkok’s delicate urban ecosystem.

 

Lumphini Park is open to visitors daily from 4.30am to 10pm, providing ample opportunity to see the statue and understand the broader environmental narrative it represents.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-02

 

 

Looks like the one that decided to snack on my friend while he was asleep on the grass, was in hospital for a week !

2 hours ago, NatureFilm said:

Why do all the parks in Thailand look so unnatural and boring? Is there really no one who can design and build a beautiful park? 

How many parks have you been to? Only the city based municipal parks I suspect.

18 hours ago, jcmj said:

And how many days do we give it until someone gets up on its back for a photo. Taking bets now 🤣

Already done 100 times. Next there will be someone trying to have sex with it. 

15 hours ago, Magictoad said:

How many parks have you been to? Only the city based municipal parks I suspect.

Sounds like someone who may be missing four out of their five senses. Not much point in even being in thailand if you can't see what's right in front of you

Something nice to see for once. 👍