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The wall gecko "TUK KAE" is a lizard six to nine inches
long, named for the sound it makes. As the "TUK KAE" is commonly found in houses, people believe
that they may be reincarnated relatives. "TUK KAE" often hides so it is more difficult to see.
House Lizard - "CHINGCHOK" - จิ้งจก
The wall gecko
("TUK KAE" - ตุ๊กแก) or house lizard
("CHINGCHOK" - จิ้งจก)
can be found everywhere in Thailand. Thai people can
eat "TUK KAE" but not "CHINGCHOK".
House lizard appear at night time and make shrill sound.
If their tail is cut, it will grow again. Whatever homeowner
does, house lizard always find a way to enter inside home.
If a "CHINGCHOK" falls in
front of somebody going out, it means that he is going to have serious
problems. This belief is based on that house lizards should never fall from
ceiling or walls.
Bearded dragon
Bearded dragons ("KINGKA" - กิ้งก่า) are kept by collectors
for their beauty. In Northeast of Thailand, they are part of local delicacies.
"KINGKA" is also translated as tree lizard.
Some other beliefs mention that a man with a new wife should not eat
"GAENG TUK KAE" (แกงตุ๊กแก) as it may arouse her. It is also a sin to eat
"TUK KAE" for some people. In Northeast of Thailand, swallowing a live "CHINGCHOK" was
used for stomach upsets, bed wetting.
Water monitor
Such big water monitors can often be seen in Thai parks or in
Buddhist temples with ponds.
Thai horror movie
Some Thai movies related to lizards are
ตุ๊กแกผี (1969),
กิ้งก่ากายสิทธิ์ (1985) by Sompote Sangduenchai,
อาถรรพณ์ตุ๊กแกผี (1990),
ตุ๊กแกผี (2004) by Manop Udomdej.
