PHUKET: Tourists are still prohibited from swimming in the sea as officials search for a crocodile spotted offshore in Muang district.
The reptile narrowly escaped capture in the early hours of yesterday.
The creature escaped by diving underwater and slipping under a seine set up by the crocodile hunt team, known as Kraithong Lum Nam Tapi, from a Surat Thani-based southern inland fisheries prevention and suppression centre.
Phuket governor said the team from Surat Thani was the same team which successfully caught a crocodile found in the sea last year.
"This crocodile has a long mouth. It will surface around 10 minutes [each time] and dive again. However, we cannot identify which species it is yet," he said.
He said that besides the possible danger from the crocodile, strong winds and large waves mean it is not suitable for tourists to swim in the sea.
Tambon Rawai municipality chief Arun Solos said Ya Nui and Nai Harn beaches, which are connected, as well as nearby areas, have been closed.
The crocodile hunt team arrived at Ya Nui beach in tambon Rawai at 3am yesterday.
After a three-hour search, the team decided to halt the operation as strong winds made it difficult for officials to use fishing gear to capture the animal.
Also, when the crocodile saw the lights, it dove again.
The team plans to approach and capture the reptile again by chasing it until it becomes exhausted and weak.
Officials also spotted dead fish believed to have been attacked by the crocodile offshore.
The hunt began after the crocodile, around 2-3 metres in length, was spotted swimming near Ya Nui beach on Wednesday evening and again in a nearby location the following day.
