Big Hairy Spider

[Ground Engineer]

My son found this big hairy spider by the communal swimming pool last night. Its probably got a 6 or 7 inch span. It didnt try to escape when we lauched it over the wall but it jumped a couple of inches when we scooped it up on the dust pan. At the same time I jumped a couple of feet. The TW took over from then on. Does any one know what type of spider this is and is it dangerous.

[yorkman]

It looks like a Aplopelma minax, a tarantula "type" thing. We had one of them, although it was somewhat darker looking, maybe because you used a flash?

It which case, no its not dangerous unless provoked, but can inflict a painful bite. Horrible though eh?

[wilko]

what a beauty!

All spiders bite but few are serious....this one I haven't a clue but you can bet that the average Thaiperson will associate it with a horrible effect and stamp on it.

some large spiders have a remarkable ability to jump.

there is a thing called "Earth Tiger" I believe that is considered quite delicious.

no-one in my office will give it a name other than "Maeng mum" - แมงมุม - spider....

[Pdaz]

what a beauty!

All spiders bite but few are serious....this one I haven't a clue but you can bet that the average Thaiperson will associate it with a horrible effect and stamp on it.

some large spiders have a remarkable ability to jump.

there is a thing called "Earth Tiger" I believe that is considered quite delicious.

no-one in my office will give it a name other than "Maeng mum" - แมงมุม - spider....

Had to laugh at this... I'm constantly amazed at Thai 's lack of knowledge.. Higher educated ones seem to have very little geographical, historical or scientific knowledge and even their less well educated country cousins seem to struggle to name anyhting other than half a dozen animals,plants,herbs etc that they see everyday... My current GF is Uni educated and works in a management position in BKK... But until this year knew nothing about the two world wars, Vietnam, the genocides in Cambodia, the yeti/sasquatch, UFO's, segregation in USA, apartied in SA and hundreds of other facets of world history and general knowledge.. Let alone knowing that a dolphin isn't a fish and that sealions/seals are also mammals.. Amazing Thailand is correct...