Trang Resident Finds King Cobra Under Wardrobe

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

In a dramatic turn of events, a 74-year-old resident of Trang province had an unexpected visitor when a large snake took refuge under her wardrobe. The snake, a deadly king cobra, was caught by rescue workers on August 18 in Mueang district.

Phinyo, the homeowner, discovered the imposing reptile. Despite being the wife of a former soldier and familiar with various snakes, this was her first encounter with a king cobra in her neighbourhood. Her immediate reaction was to contact local rescue teams for assistance, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Responding to the call was Suphat Eadchata, a 21-year-old rescue worker known fondly as 'Benz the Serpent'. Hailing from the Sawang Phakdi Trang Foundation, Suphat is seasoned with handling many snakes, yet even he noted the significance of this find. Over a careful 30 minutes, the rescue team captured the metre-long, one-kilogram female king cobra after it attempted an escape into the nearby forest.

For the people of Trang, this incident marks a pivotal moment. It is reportedly the first sighting and capture of a king cobra in the area, despite Suphat's years of experience dealing with hundreds of other snakes. Local residents are now on high alert, concerned about the potential presence of more king cobras, particularly in areas where they tap rubber trees.

Phinyo was on her porch having a meal when her daughter spotted the snake. Initially mistaken for a harmless golden tree snake, it was eventually recognised as a king cobra, a species more commonly associated with Prachinburi province. Given its dangerous nature, Phinyo regularly cautions her family to be wary of unfamiliar snakes.

Southern Thailand, including Trang, is known as a habitat for king cobras, but this is their first appearance in her community. Phinyo's encounter highlights a growing concern among locals about safety, prompting calls for increased vigilance.

Suphat has urged residents to remain vigilant and has provided his contact information for any snake-related emergencies. The advice is clear: do not approach or attempt to handle snakes without professional help. For immediate assistance, residents can reach Suphat at 095-081-2289 any time of day or night.

As the community grapples with the implications of this sighting, the message is one of alertness and caution. The presence of a king cobra has ushered in a new era of awareness and precaution in Trang, serving as a reminder of the region's natural biodiversity and the importance of professional intervention in such situations.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-19