Tourist Eaten By Crocodile In Khlong Toey

An unnamed tourist, said to be Swedish, was seen by several witnesses being pulled under water by a seven foot crocodile. Police have managed to reclaim several personal possessions with which they identified the victim but took advice suggesting it was better not to disturb the crocodile while it was still eating.

This is the fourth such incident to have taken place in the Khlong Toey area in the last two months but is the first time a Western tourist was involved.

Reports indicate the crocodile in question would appear to be a Burmese Long Tooth which makes it a protected species. If these reports are correct the only action available to authorities is to capture the crocodile and release it somewhere it might be less of a danger to local inhabitants.

There are rumours that the beast may have been bought on the black market as a pet and discarded when it became too expensive to feed much like the leopard that claimed four lives in March.

This incident brings the unofficial number of tourists killed by wild animals in Thailand since January to 128. Authorities claim the number as being significantly lower than last year thanks to a policy of zero tolerance towards anything or anyone eating visitors to the Kingdom.

Australian Crocodile Expert and TV host Rock Foster added "The Burmese Long Tooth is not a maneater. It would much sooner eat a small pig or a deer than a bloke. It seems that most of the victims in question panicked and freaked the poor fella out. He probably ate them just to shut them up."

The victim's family have already been informed of the tragic incident.

Police have advised anyone sighting the crocodile that it might be dangerous to approach, feed or attempt to wrestle the seven foot reptile.