Photo courtesy of Thai Newsroom

 

In an unusual turn of events, the typically quiet Government House in Bangkok saw a bit of excitement today when two large monitor lizards made a surprise appearance. As moves continue to elect a new prime minister or possibly dissolve the House of Representatives for an election, these unexpected visitors upstaged the day's political activities.

 

One lizard quickly disappeared into the bushes, but the other lingered on the lawn near the Thai Khu Fah building for nearly an hour, giving photographers plenty of opportunities to capture the spectacle. Locally known as "hia," these creatures are often associated with mixed emotions in Thai culture, owing to their symbolic meanings and folklore.

 

In Thai tradition, monitor lizards are sometimes seen as omens of bad luck, with "hia" even used as a curse word. Yet, at some temples, they are considered protectors, believed to guard sacred spaces from evil spirits, which adds a layer of cultural complexity.

 

Beyond the lizards' impromptu appearance, the day's activities at Government House were relatively routine. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasert Chantarawongthong, chaired a couple of important meetings. In the morning, he led the Subcommittee on the Operations of the Village and Urban Community Funds Project, while the afternoon saw him with the Digital Economy and Society Development Fund Executive Committee.

 

Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa was also in attendance. He met with Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, the Prime Minister's Secretary-General, for discussions lasting about an hour.

 

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra has cleared most of her personal belongings and documents from the Prime Minister’s Office, leaving only some furniture behind. Observers noted officials carrying several large empty plastic boxes into the Thai Khu Fah building, adding to the day’s sense of transition.

 

This unexpected visit from the monitor lizards seemed to inject some levity into an otherwise slow news day. With the political landscape in Thailand at a critical juncture, all eyes remain on the proceedings at the Government House, albeit with an unexpected twist from nature.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-09-04

 

 

These giants can bite and despite having no venom, the bacteria in their ORL system can badly infect if bitten. 

Lizards both inside and out... 

They is a Thai slang word for a Monitor Lizard, also used for people who are ...........say, not good, also not polite.

So, a rather apt place for a couple of these lizards to make they presence felt.

 

Where's the neck brace?

Cool creatures. Great for the environment

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

when two large monitor lizards made a surprise appearance.

Vying for the top job ?

Just stopping by to pay respect to their ancestors, the dinosaurs.

10 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Cool creatures. Great for the environment

Unless you are a cat in the sugar cane.🙃🙃

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the typically quiet Government House in Bangkok saw a bit of excitement today when two large monitor lizards made a surprise appearance.

 

Ah! The old dinosaur- like creatures are out for some fresh air!

Pffft! Hia today, gone tomorrow.

18 hours ago, kickstart said:

They is a Thai slang word for a Monitor Lizard, also used for people who are ...........say, not good, also not polite.

As the OP clearly pointed out.

8 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Unless you are a cat in the sugar cane.🙃🙃

Even the carnivore can be prey

Thought he went to Dubai... secretly trying to slip back into the government house?

Only two hia escaped the building, leaving the rest trapped inside? What do the fortune tellers. have to say?