PATTAYA, Thailand – Residents of a Jomtien housing development were left shocked after a large monitor lizard was discovered inside a bedroom at Palm Oasis Village on July 9, prompting a call for help from Pattaya firefighters. At 10:48 a.m., Pattaya City Fire Station (Jomtien District) dispatched inspection vehicle 407 with a team of three officers after receiving a report of a reptile found inside the residential property. Firefighters arrived at the scene and carefully carried out the operation to capture and remove the monitor lizard from the bedroom, ensuring the safety of residents while avoiding harm to the animal.
Monitor lizards are commonly found in Thailand and can occasionally enter residential areas, especially where nearby gardens, waterways, and open spaces provide natural habitats. Although they normally avoid humans, they can become defensive when frightened or approached.
Officials advised residents not to attempt catching large reptiles themselves and to contact trained personnel for safe removal. Improper handling can put both people and the animal at risk.
Residents who encounter wildlife or require emergency assistance can contact Pattaya City Fire Station (Jomtien District) at 095-146-4221 or the Pattaya City Hall Hotline at 1337.
The incident serves as a reminder that as Pattaya continues to expand, encounters with wildlife can occur even inside residential communities.
