SUPERSTITION -Lizard on its last legs
People rub its skin to see lottery numbers
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A monitor lizard, believed to possess the soul of a recently-killed boy,
could die of malnourishment and a skin ailment caused by people rubbing
him for good luck.

The lizard, Yui, would die in two weeks if the abuse continues, said
Alongkorn Mahannop, a veterinarian.

Yui was the nickname of Charoen Taengniam, a 13-year-old boy who was
killed in a car accident two weeks ago.

Dr Alongkorn, the former chief vet at Dusit Zoo, visited the residence of
Chamlong Taengniam, Yui's mother, in Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi.

He said hundreds of people travelled long distances to rub baby powder on
the lizard's skin in the hope of seeing lottery numbers. "I predict the
next winning lottery number will be zero because this poor lizard might
die soon from the abuse," he saidThe carnivorous reptile was visibly thin
and weak, the vet said, and its limbs, neck and tongue lost reflexive
responses. These symptoms were possibly the result of being fed milk and
yoghurt.

Mrs Chamlong said the lizard was given milk and yoghurt because they were
her son's favourite food. She treated it like her son, allowing it to
sleep in the same bed with her.

The lizard was thought to have strayed into the funeral of the boy and lay
under his photograph. Mrs Chamlong was surprised the normally shy lizard
would allow people to handle it without running away.

The reptile followed her home and a medium told her the boy's spirit
resided in the lizard. Some villagers believed they saw numbers on the
reptile's skin and word quickly spread.

Monitor lizards have grey skin marked by yellowish scales. They live near
water, are good swimmers and tree climbers, and are not aggressive. Thais
believe they are beasts of bad luck.

By Anchalee Kongrut - The Bangkok Post (o-:) hehehe!



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