A Godzilla-like monitor lizard terrified shoppers when it was seen crawling above supermarket shelves looking for food.

The hungry reptile broke into the shop and emerged on a light fitting above the chilled goods section in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, on October 11.

It paused briefly before dropping onto the fridge and surveying the surroundings where locals were watching.

Onlooker Buntita, 20, said: 'I was mesmerized by the lizard. It just came from nowhere and started walking across the food fridge. He was friendly though and didn't hurt anybody.'

The university student said the reptile was later removed by a security guard from the 7-Eleven convenience store.

A monitor lizard was also seen causing chaos inside a supermarket in April, 2021. The hungry creature had stormed in from a nearby canal and scaled a row of drinks cartons.

Police later arrived with reptile handlers to snare the creature, which is believed to have struggled to find food outside,

Asian water monitor lizards normally live in canals, swamps, sewers and ponds in cities in Thailand. They feed on fish, snakes, frogs and scraps of food left by humans.

The reptiles are aggressive when threatened and have a mildly venomous bite which sometimes carries harmful bacteria. The Godzilla-like reptiles are also a protected species in the country so their population thrives.


VIDEO INTERVIEW SUBTITLES

0.19 - 0.23 After finishing my class, I visited the 7-11 store in my university, searching for something to eat

0.23 - 0.36 While I was browsing food, I noticed something moving above my head, so I looked upwards and saw something that startled me. I tried to keep quiet because it was quiet

0.36 - 0.43 I saw a water monitor walking overhead, which was not exceptionally large, prompting me to decide to record a video

0.43 - 0.52 As no one appeared to be alarmed, I quietly chose to move away before other people began to take notice, as the water monitor continued to move back and forth

0.52 - 1.07 While I was at the cashier, the water monitor descended to the top of the fridge, which led to the staff members screaming. This prompted me to record while it continued to roam around

1.07 - 1.11 The staff then brought in a security staff to remove the monitor from the premises

1.11 - 1.18 Q: After the security staff captured it, did they release it, or what was their subsequent course of action?

1.18 - 1.23 Afterward, it was released immediately, allowing it to continue roaming within the university as there are many Bui (water monitors) inside

1.23 - 1.25 Q: People in your university call them (water monitors) Bui, right?

1.26 Yes

1.27 - 1.33 Q: When you observed it walking above, was it walking on a fridge or the ceiling?

1.33 - 1.42 At first, it was walking on something that wasn't exactly the ceiling, more like a column, before it descended on top of the fridge

1.42 - 1.46 Q: What were your emotions or feelings when you encountered this incident?

1.46 - 1.58 In my university, Buis are known to be friendly and often walk nearby humans, as they are regularly spotted on the campus

1.58 - 2.00 Q: Would it be accurate to describe them as friends of the students?

2.00 : Right

2.02 - 2.07 How did your friends react upon witnessing it during the incident?

2.07 - 2.22 At first, most people stayed quiet, and as it gained attention, customers remained calm, but staff members screamed

2.24 - 2.27 Q: Were you the first person to notice it?

2.27 - 2.30 Yes, but I remained silent as I didn't want to cause alarm among others

2.30 - 2.33 Q: Did you happen to be the only one who recorded this incident?

2.34 Yes