British vet rescues cobra on Koh Samui

[Thaivisa News]

Koh Samui, Surat Thani:- When you encounter a snake on Koh Samui, who you gonna call?

The answer is Phillip Book, 43, the only British vet who runs the Samui Snake Rescue Center on the tiny tourist-destination island.

Tuesday evening, Book was called to capture a four-meter-long king cobra from a public toilet room at the Khao Yai Waterfall in Tambon Namuang.

Initially, Thanonsak Jantharumporn, a rescue volunteer of Kusol Songkroah Foundation on the island was called by local residents at 6 pm that a king cobra was spotted in the toilet room.

Thanongsak and team rushed to the team only to be terrified by the large snake so the rescuers called for Book’s help.

Book rushed to the scene and found the snake curling in the toilet room. He walked unequipped to grab the snake by its neck and took it out amid cheers by local villagers and tourists.

A reporter of Khao Sod interviewed Book and learned that the Briton has been living on Koh Samui for 15 years.

He said he worked as a vet in England and he loves snakes and is specialized in caring all kinds of snakes.

When he came to live on Koh Samui, he helped take care of ill animals and local people often called him to capture snakes that entered their houses.

Book said he always rehabilitated the snakes before he released them into the wild.

He said he has opened the Samui Snake Rescue Center as a non-profit organization.

He has just captured a 4-meter-long python Tuesday morning before he was called to capture the king cobra in the evening. Both of them will be rehabilitated and released.

[Asiantravel]

rather him than me

[Goshawk]

this the dude ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyby17O-drg

braver than i . . .

[bendejo]

Cobra has a special place in the Thai religion. That this guy can handle them with such ease will have the locals in awe of him.

[NeverSure]

braver than i . . .

Nothin' to it. Just reach in the bag and pull him out. NOT. He can have it. I do think it's beautiful as long as it isn't too close to me.

[zaphod reborn]

Good work. I would have thought an Aussie rather than a Brit would be better suited for this type of job.

[wirat69]

Good work. I would have thought an Aussie rather than a Brit would be better suited for this type of job.

Ummmm....aren't Aussies British??? or are they just Brits without a loaf of bread???

[philthebook]

Edited March 25, 2015 by philthebook

[Gandtee]

That is one beautiful King Cobra.

[godden]

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssee ya

[ToddinChonburi]

I think I would have run to. Big ass snake.

[empireboy]

Good work. I would have thought an Aussie rather than a Brit would be better suited for this type of job.

Ummmm....aren't Aussies British??? or are they just Brits without a loaf of bread???

Nah.... they're the Brits that Brits rejected and now they're often seen whoopin' ass (in sports at least) against the Brits!

[PythonHouse]

Beautiful! Great to see.

[off road pat]

RESPECT !!!!

[ikbenhet]

He removed a couple of snakes for me already.

Great guy.

[Neilly]

He removed a couple of snakes for me already.

Great guy.

Yeah deff great guy...took one out from under my place a couple of weeks ago

[evadgib]

Our very own Steve Irwin

[sambum]

"He said he has opened the Samui Snake Rescue Center as a non-profit organization."

He does an absolutely brilliant job, and is absolutely fearless with these deadly reptiles, yet treats them with respect and care. I believe that his organisation is run completely by donations and I am sure that many people would like to help if they knew where to send them?

[sambum]

this the dude ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyby17O-drg

braver than i . . .

Yup - that is "The Man"!

[northernphil]

Released back into the wilds of samui. Sleepless night ahead fro some. Yep, and a real KC , the ones around where I live are itty bitty fakes but the locals say every snake is a KC.

[F4UCorsair]

Whoever estimated that to be 4 meters must be a fisherman. Lucky to be 3.

[LuckyLew]

Sure would make some nice betls

[Varangkul]

Whoever estimated that to be 4 meters must be a fisherman. Lucky to be 3.

If I lent you my tape measure would you measure him for me? I'll stay outside!

[Goshawk]

Great job man . . . respect dude

[jdinasia]

Hmmmm Sunday night the local headline would have been

"American motorcyclist kills huge cobra "

[useronthenet]

Just wondering how you would rehabilitate a snake? Are there support groups for Cobras these days?

"Hello my name is 'hissing sid', and I'm a cobra !

[South]

King Cobra ..... the holy grail to anyone interested in snakes.

[carmine]

Hmmmm Sunday night the local headline would have been

"American motorcyclist kills huge cobra "

Why would that be?

[jdinasia]

Hmmmm Sunday night the local headline would have been

"American motorcyclist kills huge cobra "

Why would that be?

Early evening, riding home. One got hit by all 3 wheels of my motorcycle. Now way to avoid it.

[bill1369]

What exactly does 'rehabilitate' the snakes before returning them to the wild mean.

Kinda the same as Remand prison rehabilitates prisoners to lead a respectable life before letting them go?