Pannawat “Lek” Imsub Finds Rare Golden Pit Viper in Ang Thong, Thailand

What began as a routine call about a backyard python turned into a small-town wildlife mystery that has Ang Thong buzzing — and a handful of residents quietly scribbling down a house number for the next draw. In the early hours of August 23, 2025, Pannawat “Lek” Imsub, a volunteer with the Poh Teck Tung Foundation based at Wat Loh in Mueang Ang Thong district, received reports of a 3–4 metre python that had slithered into house number 25/5 on Thetsaban 3 Road, Bang Kaeo subdistrict.

When Lek arrived, the obvious suspect was nowhere to be found. The homeowners, understandably anxious, checked their CCTV footage and — sure enough — the video verified a large, 4-metre python had entered and left the property under cover of darkness. That should have been the end of it, the kind of “case closed” that sends a volunteer home with a satisfied nod. But wildlife has a way of delivering surprises with a flourish.

While conducting a careful sweep of the premises for anyone else that might be hiding in the garden or under the eaves, Lek stumbled across something far smaller — and far more dazzling. Tucked away in a corner, the volunteer found a roughly 40‑centimetre snake with a striking golden hue from head to tail, its tail showing signs of being burnt. The little serpent’s head shape and body pattern resembled a green pit viper, a venomous species residents know to respect. Yet this one was not the familiar jade-and-emerald green; it glowed like a tiny, living coin.

The discovery — photographed and shared with local media — has an air of the uncanny. Thailand’s wildlife pages and neighbourhood chat groups lit up as neighbours peered at the images and debated whether the snake’s golden colouration was a genetic anomaly, a coincidence of lighting, or perhaps a rare instance of leucism or other pigment variation. Local outlets, including KhaoSod, ran photos of the creature (picture courtesy of KhaoSod), sparking curiosity and a little superstition in equal measure.

Conversations at the scene swung between practical and whimsical. Some residents, preoccupied with safety, asked how to avoid an irritable viper if one really showed up. Others — embracing a time-honoured Thai tradition — speculated about lucky numbers. House number 25/5 quickly found its way onto a few lucky-lottery lists, as neighbours jotted down possible digits while the rescue volunteer completed his checks.

Rescue teams and volunteers are trained to prioritize safety, and in this instance the golden snake was secured and identified as resembling a green pit viper. That alone is matter-of-fact enough; the golden coloration is what makes this a local headline. Reports say this is the first such golden pit viper sighting in the area, though there have been previous reports of unusually coloured snakes — a blue‑green specimen had been noted on an earlier occasion — so the community is slowly adjusting its sense of what “normal” wildlife might look like.

If you’re wondering whether this was the python in disguise, the CCTV footage argues otherwise: the large python did appear and depart the property the same night, while the golden snake was a separate, much smaller resident. As of the latest reports, no injuries were recorded and the household returned to its rhythms with an anecdote that will likely be retold for seasons to come.

The Ang Thong incident echoes a recent episode in Trang province that reminded locals just how dramatic a snake encounter can be. On August 18, rescue personnel were called to a Mueang Trang home after a 74‑year‑old resident named Phinyo discovered a large snake slithering under her wardrobe. The reptile was later identified as a venomous king cobra and was safely captured by the team. Phinyo, the wife of a former soldier, told rescuers she had encountered many snake species over the years — but this was her first encounter with a king cobra in the area.

Taken together, these incidents underline two truths about living close to Thailand’s lush habitats: snakes turn up in the most unexpected places, and when they do, communities pull together — from volunteers like Lek to local rescue squads — to keep people and animals safe. They also remind us that nature sometimes has a mischievous sense of style, showing up in gold instead of green and prompting a neighbourhood to smile, snap photos, and maybe, if superstition wins out, buy a lottery ticket or two.

For now, the golden pit viper of Ang Thong remains a local celebrity — a tiny, burn‑tailed enigma that briefly interrupted a python investigation and left behind a story both curious and charming. Whether it was a genetic rareity, a pigment quirk, or simply a trick of the early‑morning light, one thing is certain: in Thailand, even a routine rescue call can end with a sparkle.