A rare, critically endangered freshwater crocodile built its nest next to a tourist spot in Thailand.

The 6ft long Siamese crocodile, estimated to be about seven years old, was spotted constructing its mound nest out of vegetation under the Bueng Boraphet swamp bridge in Nakhon Sawan province on July 10.

Wildlife experts said it was a rare sight as the creatures typically lay their eggs in more secluded areas.

Jiradet Boonmak, head of the non-hunting area at Bueng Boraphet swamp, said: ‘This crocodile is a Siamese crocodile, and this is the first time to see it laying its eggs in an area where there are many people like this. Plus, it is one of 35 crocodiles living in Bueng Boraphet swamp.

‘It's quite rare to see this since only a few crocodiles remain in nature in Thailand and normally, they will lay their eggs in places which are out of sight.'

The Siamese crocodile is native to Southeast Asian countries including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. It is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1996 after its population plummeted due to hunting and habitat loss.

Bueng Boraphet swamp is the largest freshwater swamp in Thailand. It covers roughly 132,737 rais of land which covers Muang District, Tha Tako District, and Chum Saeng District.