Bangkok’s unlikely ambassadors

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Transcript

00:00The common water monitor in Lumpini Park is one of Bangkok's unintended soft power.

00:05This large reptile is called Tuahia in Thai.

00:09Though they may look intimidating, they are generally shy and will avoid humans unless provoked.

00:14But sometimes you would see locals taking naps in the park with the lizards slowly creeping towards them.

00:20Although they are not poisonous, the microorganisms in their saliva can be quite dirty.

00:26These lizards play a huge role in controlling the population of pests like rats,

00:31making them an important part of the park's ecosystem.

00:34While some locals find them fascinating, others are wary of them,

00:39partly due to their size and cultural superstitions of bad luck.

00:43Despite this, the lizards are a popular sight for visitors to Lumpini Park.