BANGKOK, July 22 (Xinhua) -- A crocodile was reported on Sunday to remain at large in the neighborhood of popular beaches of Phuket.

A team of local officials and volunteers have launched a hunt for the lone crocodile which was last spotted on Karon beach in Phuket on Saturday, an official said.

The team came as close as 20 meters to the crocodile on Saturday morning, but it narrowly escaped into the sea, he said.

According to the local official, the crocodile might be found anywhere around Patong beach which is close to Karon beach.

However, it might probably be found in the neighborhood of Paradise beach or Freedom beach, besides Patong beach.

Meanwhile, in Phang Nga province, red flags and other warning signs have been erected to keep tourists and other people away from the beaches due to strong winds and high tides in the Andaman Sea.