Thai authorities warn of escaping crocodiles from zoo due to flooding

The authorities in Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand have cautioned the public over a possibility of crocodiles at a local zoo escaping their enclosure due to flooding.

Nakorn Si Thammarat is among 10 provinces in southern Thai that are badly affected by floods which until today, have resulted in 12 deaths and displacement of 744,422 residents.

"I was informed that some crocodiles could have escaped from the Thalad Zoo due to the high level of flood waters," Nakorn Si Thammarat's local official, Manus Pongyeela told the local media on Saturday.

He said local officials were trying to rescue other animals from the zoo which was currently inundated in flood waters.

According to Manus, the authorities had warned those residing near the zoo to be careful as there was a possibility of wild animals at the zoo escaping as a result of the floods.

The danger of escaping crocodiles came about when local media spotted the reptiles swimming in the vicinity of the zoo while conducting aerial photography of the area today, sparking the alert from local authorities.

Thalad Zoo keeps about 10 crocodiles in its enclosure, some of which are more than five metres in length, as well as other animals.

Heavy rain, beginning Jan 1 until today have caused flash floods at large swathes of southern Thailand, forcing the closure of an airport in Nakhon Si Thammarat and causing 26 flights to be cancelled and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The airport is still closed.

Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Chamren Thipyapongtada described the current disaster as the worst experienced by the province since more than 50 years ago.

Severe flooding has also disrupted train and bus services to southern Thailand as certain sections of the highways, roads and railway tracks are still inundated in flood waters.

The 10 provinces in southern Thailand that are affected by floods are Pattalung, Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla, Pattani, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Chumphon and Ranong.

The tourist destinations of Koh Samui and Koh Phang Nga have also not been spared by the floods. -- Bernama