CROCODILE WRESTLERS
After the song "Final Countdown" by the band Europe echoed through the performance area, revealing "crocodile wrestlers" in costumes resembling the character from Thai folk tales, "Kraithong, the crocodile slayer," ready to start a thrilling, dangerous crocodile-wrestling show.
Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm & Zoo, a tourist attraction that has been operating since 1950, with crocodile wrestling shows as a major highlight, even amid Thailand's sluggish economy and fewer tourists.
Somphop "Max" Rajdee (36) is one of the farm's crocodile wrestlers. He remembers being born and raised here, and his connection to crocodiles has been strong since childhood because his parents are staff members who care for the crocodiles.
"How often do I get bitten? Sometimes, once every seven years. It's not common," Max said, laughing as he shared his stories. In case of accidents, they depend on the farm to cover medical costs. Despite injuries, Max and his colleagues, driven by their love for crocodiles, continue their work.
Each day, the crocodile doctors perform six shows on weekdays and nine on weekends. Even on public holidays, despite fewer viewers due to the economic downturn, they stay committed to their performances.
Shot for BenarNews Thailand
“What started as familiarity turned into a passion, leading me to train as a crocodile wrestler. I began with cleaning ponds and feeding them.
After understanding their behavior, five other colleagues and I learned to master crocodile wrestling, earning 13,000 baht each.”
During economic hardships and a tourism slump in Thailand, the farm has felt the impact. Still, they keep their performances high quality, hoping to draw audiences back.
Crocodile shows are more than just entertainment; they are part of Thailand's long-standing cultural heritage. Despite the scars from their work, Max and his colleagues find motivation in preserving this culture and continuing in their dangerous profession.