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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.