Asian water monitor lizards, dubbed 'little Godzillas' by locals, are booming in Bangkok, with viral social media videos shifting public opinion even as authorities struggle to manage rising numbers. The reptiles, which can grow up to two metres long, have become a common sight in the city's parks and canals, particularly in Lumphini Park, where around 400 now reside.
Residents report frequent encounters, with joggers often having to hop over the creatures. 'The big ones are usually fine because they move quite slowly and you can kind of hop over,' said Bangkok resident Jayla Chintanaroj. 'But the small ones can be quite fast. There have been a few times I’ve almost tripped over one.'
Despite the nuisance, many locals have grown fond of the lizards. JX Ang, who lives near Lumphini Park, described seeing them as 'a nice little Godzilla swimming through the water.' He recalled witnessing over ten lizards soaking in a fountain on a hot day, calling it 'a massive lizard onsen Jacuzzi.'
Authorities are concerned about the population explosion. Thosapol Suparee, a deputy director-general of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's environmental department, noted the lizards have no natural enemies in urban areas, giving them a high survival rate. The city's extensive canal network, with over 1,600 khlongs, provides ideal habitat.
While considered mostly harmless to humans, the lizards can cause accidents and disturb park visitors. In 2016, officials captured and relocated dozens from Lumphini Park, but numbers quickly rebounded. A 2024 study highlighted the lack of research on this urban colonisation, despite the species being the largest lizard with established populations in Asian cities.
Environmental authorities now face the challenge of managing the population without disrupting what has become an ecological attraction. Surveys show the park's lizard population is rising rapidly, and officials aim to keep it below 400 to minimise conflicts.
