BANGKOK POST (Thailand) 31 October 05 Farmers turn to croc hunting after floods (Manit Sanabboon)
Prachin Buri: Several farmers have turned to crocodile hunting for a living after many of the reptiles were found in the area after floodwaters receded. A small crocodile about 30cm long can be sold for 2,000 baht and big ones can fetch more than 10,000 baht each.
Pit Chimchana, 56, of Ban Ko Raeng in tambon Non Hom of Muang district, said he had caught three crocodiles so far.
The first, a little more than a metre long, was caught a few weeks ago and he sold it for 6,000 baht.
He caught the second croc with a net on Oct 25 and a third on Oct 27. The first was 1.40m long and weighed 15kg and the other 1.72m long and weighing 25kg. They were caught in Klong Tha Kra Phai, a canal leading from a large swamp with abundant fish and bird life.
Mr Pit put a 12,000-baht price tag on the large one and 10,000 baht on the other. He said many other farmers in the area were also hunting the reptiles. It was far more profitable than fishing.
People at Ban Nong Pla Khayaeng, about 5km from his village, had caught six or seven crocodiles, but did not tell anyone for fear of being seen as breaking the law.
A friend of his, Sawaeng Khachornla, 56, was attacked by a crocodile more than 3m long two weeks ago while fishing in Klong Tha Kra Phai.
He paddled away with all his might and then lost consciousness. Relatives finally found him in his boat and rushed him to Aphaiphubet Hospital where he was treated for chest injuries.
Thongdam Ruangphet, 70, said he saw a 2m crocodile in the same canal and his son caught one about 30cm long and sold it for 2,000 baht.
Farmers turn to croc hunting after floods