Yesterday afternoon (July 20), 50 officials led by Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos and a crocodile hunting expert from the Surat Thani Fisheries Department Nikom Suksawas closed Nai Harn Beach because the crocodile was sighted above the water more frequently in the area.
Officials from The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, local village headmen and local residents also joined the hunt.
Officials planned to corner the crocodile using patrol boats. However, the plan was not put into action because waves reached two-three metres in height. Therefore, officials stationing themselves in various spots along the beach to keep an eye on the croc from 10am until darkness.
Mayor Aroon and Mr Nikom also re-adjusted the plan by using a dredging machine to open a channel between Nai Harn Beach and the nearby lake.
Mr Nikom expected the crocodile to try to get on the land as it might be a freshwater species. He believed that if it was a saltwater croc, it might go away due to the amount of people in the area.
He said that if the reptile came to the pond it would be easy to catch because it was a closed area.