The photo below is the arena these brave or mad men enter on a daily basis trying to earn a living. They perform a number of risky tasks, which could give the cool crocs an opportunity to snap at any given moment. I can think of easier ways to earn a living, I thought I was hard done by when I worked lifting stone pots all day, unloading containers when I was between jobs years ago. I know which job I'd prefer, how about you Steemians?
This large crocodile was the biggest crocodile in the arena and at this moment it was enjoying some peace before the crazy crocodile men arrived to meddle with the chilling crocs. It wasn't long before the stadium started to fill and the crazy crocodile men arrived to earn themselves some currency for risking their lives and winding up the big snappers!
The men arrived and the crowd gave them a cheer and they made their arrival known shouting each other and preparing themselves for their showcase. But after this entrance they put their hands together to wai (pray and say thank you) all of the audience. During their performance many spectators threw money down to the men as gifts, this could be the only payment they make. A lot of lower paid jobs in Thailand involve only gaining money through tips.
Before they started their life defying acts with the crocodiles, they soaked the area making it wet and making the crocodiles that were in the middle wet as well. I'm not sure how this helped, but they made quite an ordeal out of it. Once they had finished this process they took it in turns to stick their heads inside the crocodiles mouths.
After each life threatening act they would pay respect to the crocodiles for not eating them, I wonder what the trick is to stop the snap? On every occasion they rubbed their wooden sticks along the side of the corcodile's jaws all the way up to tehir heads, was this some sort of freezing trick? Who knows but I wouldn't fancy even getting in the arena with the giant snappers.
At the end of their show the crazy crocodile men picked up a crocodile each and walked around the arena with them. this seemed like the perfect opportunity for the animals to get themselves an easy spot of lunch! But I am guessing they were probably heavily fed before the performance, causing a food coma like on Christmas day when you eat about 5000 calories and can't move off the sofa!
They invited people to go and take pictures with the crocodiles at the end, this was the point when our family decided to get out of there! We didn't fancy going in the crocodile arena!
Thank you so much for checking out my post, if you enjoyed this and would like to see more photos and travels in Thailand feel free to swing by my page when you have a moment free.
Peace Out Steemians
Never stop exploring!