Crocodile? No, Just a Lizard! Foreign Tourist’s Panic Triggers Rescue at Udon Thani Restaurant
Udon Thani — Diners at a local restaurant in Udon Thani were treated to an unexpected spectacle on May 27 when a foreign tourist mistook a large water monitor lizard for a crocodile, prompting a dramatic call to emergency services.
The incident unfolded at “Rong Rod” restaurant along the city bypass road in the Ban Deua community. At around 4:00 p.m., the Udon Thani Municipal Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Unit received a report that a “crocodile” had entered the premises.
In reality, the commotion was caused by a 1.3-meter-long, 10-kilogram water monitor lizard, which had wandered inside and taken refuge behind the beverage counter. The foreign tourist, startled by the sight of the reptile through the glass, shouted, “Oh!! Crocodile, crocodile!” — sending staff into a brief panic and prompting a quick response from local authorities.
Rescue workers arrived to find the lizard hiding behind crates, beer pitchers, and wine glasses. Though the animal initially escaped the capture noose by thrashing about, the team eventually subdued and safely removed it. Leeches clinging to its body suggested the monitor had emerged from a drainage canal near the restaurant.
Boonrit Thatpaiboon, a 22-year-old employee, admitted he too was momentarily fooled. “I was shocked because I thought it was a crocodile too, and I wondered how a crocodile could get here,” he said. “When I realized it was a water monitor, I was still scared. It was huge, so I called the authorities.”
Following local tradition, Boonrit touched the lizard’s tail for good luck after the rescue. He added that while snakes had previously entered the restaurant, this was the first time a customer had confused a lizard with a crocodile — leading even the tourist’s Thai girlfriend to ask if crocodiles were kept on-site.
The water monitor was later released back into its natural habitat, bringing the unexpected lunchtime drama to a peaceful conclusion.