Reader question: Are the monitor lizards in Lumpini park in Bangkok dangerous?

Monitor lizards are wild animals. All animals – just like the house dog and the house cat – will defend themselves if they feel threatened.
Monitor lizards will initially run away if they are confronted by a human. Only at the last will they defend themselves by enlarging themselves, filling themselves with air, scratching, thrashing their tails and biting at the last moment.

In that bite lies the danger. The beak of a monitor lizard contains many harmful bacteria that can cause blood poisoning if they enter the bloodstream.

The monitor lizards in Lumpini Park are of course familiar with the phenomenon of “people”. That does not mean that they are tame animals. I myself have beautiful close-up photos of these animals. But just like when taking pictures while diving or on safari at an appropriate distance. I strongly advise against chasing them, picking them up – if you can get hold of them – and petting them. See explanation above.

Just like Eric says.
They are not dangerous, but as with all animals you do not know, you should leave them alone and keep the necessary distance and then those animals will not attack you or react to your presence.
By the way, they are regularly fed, just like in zoos.
Animals kill because they are hungry or attack badly when threatened.
If that is not the case, animals leave others alone.
Only kill people for fun or out of boredom.
And indeed, if you should ever be bitten, it is important to go to the hospital immediately, no matter how small the wound may be. The bite is indeed very dangerous due to the many bacteria in their saliva.

With me in Nonthaburi, there is also one occasionally walking through the soi.
He is almost 2 meters.
But when the dogs start barking, he'll be gone in a little swamp at the end of the soi.