It was a quiet afternoon in Trang province until Phinyo’s meal on the front porch turned into an unexpected wildlife documentary. The 74-year-old homeowner looked up when her daughter called out, only to find that their house had a very unwelcome guest: a large snake slipping under the family wardrobe. What started as a routine encounter quickly became the kind of neighbourhood headline that gets everyone peeking out their windows.
At first glance the reptile was mistaken for a golden tree snake, a common sight for locals. But this was no ordinary visitor. Rescue workers later identified the intruder as a female king cobra — an impressive, and potentially dangerous, find. Measuring about one metre long and weighing roughly one kilogram, the snake was calm but unmistakably regal in appearance. For Phinyo, who has seen many species over the years as the wife of a former soldier, this was the first time a king cobra had slithered into her part of Mueang district. Her surprise quickly became everyone else’s concern.
Enter Suphat Eadchata, 21, a young rescue worker known locally as “Benz the Serpent.” Suphat is part of the Sawang Phakdi Trang Foundation and has earned a reputation for handling snakes with skill and composure — hundreds of them over the past three years. Still, even for an experienced handler, this call stood out. King cobras are the most venomous snakes in Thailand and not a species to be taken lightly.
When Suphat arrived on August 18, the snake had already fled into nearby forested area after being disturbed. What followed was a careful half-hour of tracking, patient searching and steady hands. Suphat located the snake tucked away and managed to safely capture it, bringing an anxious household and curious neighbours a sigh of relief. This capture is reportedly the first of its kind in Trang, making the event all the more notable for local wildlife records.
For residents who tap rubber trees — a common livelihood in this part of southern Thailand — the sighting has raised understandable concerns. King cobras are known to inhabit southern regions of the country, but sightings in residential neighbourhoods are uncommon. Locals are now more alert when venturing into fields and rubber groves, especially during harvesting or when working near forest edges.
Phinyo recounted the moment with a mix of bemusement and caution. She had been enjoying a meal when her daughter shouted. The initial misidentification as a golden tree snake shows how easily even experienced eyes can be fooled in the moment. Phinyo mentioned she had only seen king cobras before in Prachinburi province, making this encounter in Trang a rare and surprising event for her community.
Suphat used the opportunity to remind everyone of a few simple but vital rules: do not approach or try to handle snakes, keep a safe distance, and call professionals trained for the job. For 24-hour assistance and rapid response, Suphat provided a direct contact number: 095-081-2289. He urged residents to call immediately if they find snakes, especially king cobras, and to avoid attempting to remove them themselves.
Beyond the immediate drama, this incident highlights the delicate balance between humans and wildlife in many Thai provinces. As communities expand and forests intersect with village life, unexpected meetings with wildlife become more likely. The capture was handled without injury to Phinyo, her family, or the snake — a reminder that professional intervention can keep both people and animals safe.
Neighbours are now talking, rubber tappers are watching the tree lines a little more closely, and Suphat is on call — ready for the next curious crawl into a home or compound. For now, the wardrobe in Phinyo’s house is snake-free and life has returned to normal rhythms, but the story has left a lasting impression. In a region where the monsoon season and lush greenery invite all manner of wildlife, it pays to stay alert and respect the wild visitors that occasionally drop by.
If you live in Trang or surrounding areas and encounter a snake, remember the simple three-step checklist: keep your distance, secure children and pets, and call trained rescuers. For immediate help from the Sawang Phakdi Trang Foundation’s experienced handler, reach Suphat (Benz the Serpent) at 095-081-2289 — available around the clock. That small call can make the difference between a tense story and a safe, well-managed rescue.
Picture courtesy of KhaoSod.
Thanks everyone for the support — glad the family and the snake are safe. Please remember: don’t try this at home, call trained rescuers. If you see a cobra, keep distance and ring the foundation.
Unbelievable story, what a shock for a 74-year-old to find a cobra in her house. I would have fainted or run away. Glad Suphat handled it.
As a rubber tapper, this worries me — cobras near rubber groves are no joke. We work alone sometimes and a snake bite is deadly if help is far. Authorities should set up more rescue points in villages.
More rescue points sound fine, but will they actually arrive fast during monsoon nights? I’ve waited over an hour for help before. Rural response times are the real issue.
Exactly — phones lose signal in parts of the groves and GPS is spotty. We need local volunteers trained with basic safety gear, not just faraway call centers.
King cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) are indeed more common in southern Thailand’s forest edges, but residential sightings remain rare. Their presence near human habitations reflects habitat overlap and seasonal movement. Public education on avoidance and rapid rescue is essential.
Is it really necessary to post Suphat’s personal phone number publicly? That seems risky and could invite prank calls. There should be an official hotline instead.
Huge respect for Suphat — handling hundreds of snakes in three years is impressive. But does the foundation get paid or is it volunteer work? People should support them financially.
We mostly operate on donations and volunteer time; the number was given so people in Trang can reach help fast. I welcome volunteers but training and equipment are required for safety. Please contact the foundation if you want to help properly.
I never thought a king cobra would come into my house while I was eating. My daughter screamed and I was so frightened, but thank you to Suphat for taking care of it. Life feels normal again but I’m more careful now.
If a grandma can see a cobra and live to tell it, then so can we, right? Kidding aside, neighbors should form watch groups during harvest. Collective vigilance saves lives.
Snakes are cool but also scary. Why would a cobra go into a house anyway? Maybe it wanted food or a warm spot.
I’m glad they didn’t kill the snake — wildlife deserves respect and a safe relocation. But I worry whether relocation disrupts the animal’s territory and survival. There must be guidelines for translocation.
This has ‘sensational headline’ written all over it — ‘king cobra captured’ sells clicks. Meanwhile bigger environmental issues go unreported. Media hype around dramatic rescues distracts from policy solutions.
Suphat is a local hero, plain and simple. Young, brave, and skilled — we need more people like him. The family must have been terrified and his calm made all the difference.
I think some readers are overreacting; snakes are part of the ecosystem and usually avoid humans. The real issue is us expanding into their habitat, not the animals ‘invading’ our homes. Responsibility goes both ways.
Good teachable moment for schools: identify local venomous snakes, basic first aid, and safe behavior around wildlife. A 15-minute lesson could prevent panic and save lives. Community outreach is underused here.
I worry about elderly residents living alone — who checks on them if a dangerous animal appears? Social services and community networks should be strengthened in rural zones. Prevention is as important as rescue.
Some commenters say translocation harms snakes, but if left in a house the outcome is worse for both parties. Capturing and releasing back to forested area seems the best compromise. Trained handlers know where to release safely.
I’d like to know more specifics: how was the snake captured without harm, what tools were used, and where exactly was it released. Vague rescue tales don’t help policy or learning. Transparency matters.
Good point about transparency. Standard protocol involves using hooks, bags, and calm manual restraint, then release into suitable habitat away from human dwellings. Documenting procedures helps train others and build public trust.
Thanks, that helps. Can such protocols be published locally in Thai and distributed to villages? People need accessible, clear instructions not academic papers.
Absolutely — community handouts, short videos, and village demonstrations are the most effective. I’m happy to collaborate with local groups to make materials practical and culturally appropriate.
I tapped rubber at dawn and always feel something watching in the tree line. Maybe wearing bells or noise-makers could deter snakes near work areas. Small simple measures might reduce encounters.
Back in my day we used to relocate snakes with long poles, but that was risky and not ideal. I respect modern handlers more because they protect both people and animals. Training is a game-changer.
Why are king cobra sightings increasing in villages? Are forests shrinking, or is climate change altering their range? Someone should study the trend before more surprises happen.
Habitat fragmentation and human encroachment drive such incidents, yes. Protecting corridors and buffer zones around villages would reduce contact points. Long-term planning beats reactive rescues.
We covered this story because it’s local and instructive, but we also want to highlight systemic issues like habitat loss and rescue infrastructure. Readers, please submit tips on similar incidents so we can map patterns.
I bet the snake was planted for clicks or to boost some handler’s profile. Stories like this look staged sometimes. Where’s the raw footage or CCTV?
That’s a cynical take — people face real dangers and bravery shouldn’t be undermined by baseless accusations. If you want footage, ask the family politely; but don’t accuse without proof.
To address doubts: no staging, just a real call and a real rescue. We sometimes film rescues for training and transparency, and we can share footage with permission to clear doubts. Accusations rarely help community safety.
I plan to bring this story to my class to discuss coexistence with wildlife and emergency responses. Children should learn practical safety without being terrified. Real stories are good teaching tools.
I appreciate that the snake wasn’t harmed, but does anyone know if king cobras are protected species legally here? There should be legal backing for humane rescue and habitat protection.
Yes, many snake species are protected under Thai law, and illegal killing can incur penalties. Enforcement is inconsistent, but awareness of legal protections helps conservation efforts.
Honestly, after reading this I checked my wardrobe. That mix of fear and fascination is weird — you want to respect wildlife but not have it in your socks drawer. Strange times.
My worry is kids and pets — the article advice is good but not everyone knows to secure children first. Local schools and community centers should run quick emergency drills for families.