Bangkok frees park of giant lizards

Bangkok: The hulking, prehistoric-looking monitor lizards that stalk the grounds of Bangkok’s Lumpini park have long triggered fascination – and fear – from visitors to the city centre’s main green space.

But with their population soaring out of control to some 400, city officials are on a mission to bait and bag some of the meaty reptiles known as hia – a noun which doubles as the most powerful swear word in Thai.