Be Aware of the Dangerous Animals in Thailand
Much as we like to bring you all good things about Thailand and its stunning tourist destinations, we would also like you to beware of the dangerous animals in Thailand. We have your safety is mind so as you vacation we also want to prepare yourself safety-wise. Now this doesn’t mean that Thailand is a no-go zone. This post is not to discourage you to head on to Thailand and enjoy the beautiful scenery and beaches. Believe me, not all animals of Thailand are dangerous.
Read on as we tell you what to watch out for just in case you encounter those creatures. That said, these islands are well worth a visit.
Animals of Thailand to stay away from
Snakes
Much as there are different kinds of snakes in this beautiful Asian country, most of them tend to be dangerous and can be life threatening if bitten by them. These snakes can also be found in urban areas, in city parks and even in hotel gardens. Some can also be found in swimming canals and rivers. If you are treading on grass or any form of undergrowth, chances are that there will be snakes. Luckily, at the sound of approaching footsteps, they will slither away.
So here is where the danger comes in with these snakes – when you step on one. Plus you might never know what you encounter since some can be very aggressive if disturbed.
The ones you need to be cautious about are the Chain Viper, most types of Krait, several Cobras like the spitting Cobra which is normally found in the South of Thailand, the King Cobra, Coral Snakes, Pit Vipers. Unfortunately, I have to tell you that all the above mentioned are extremely dangerous animals in Thailand and they can kill you.
Now not every snake encounter event is fatal. However, if bitten by any snake it is imperative that you rush to hospital immediately. Don’t panic. Just act quickly and call for help. Good thing is, they have anti-venom everywhere. If you are brave enough to kill the snake, carry it with you to hospital so that they can know the best treatment after identification.
The thing is, there are some that are non-poisonous. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to distinguish them. The best course of action is to avoid all of them.
A few safety measures…
- Wear jeans and strong boots whenever walking on grass or in undergrowth.
- Be on the lookout whenever handling items that have been placed on cracks where snakes may be hiding. When you see a hole or crack, work with the assumption that there is a snake there and walk away.
- When you see a snake that looks dead, it’s probably just taking a nap.
- DO NOT sleep on the floor.
- When you spot a spitting cobra or anything that looks like it, give it more than 3 meters as they can spit venom into a person’s eyes from that far.
- Don’t play hero by trying to kill a snake.
- Rush to hospital – getting treatment within an hour or two tops should be fine. Plus, Thailand has a great health system for dealing with snake bites incidents.
Centipedes
Now, even if you are there for a minute, these are animals of Thailand you should beware of. They have many types… some giant ones and they can sting real good. So don’t go picking one up because you will be stung. Much as it might not be fatal, it will be painful as hell.
Some are an inch long and there are those that are five inches long. So they are easy to spot unless they crawl up into your shoes or clothes. The locals treat them as seriously as they would snakes.
The giant ones that appear to be flat are the ones most feared by many. And they extremely hard to kill. They are commonly hide under stones, logs and gardens but they can also be found within homes. They usually go into homes when it rains heavily to avoid drowning.
The best advice is to just avoid any kind of Thailand as they are considered dangerous animals in Thailand, just as the snakes.
The treatment us usually anti-tetanus shot, painkillers and enough rest. If you develop an allergic reaction, breathing support will be required.
Scorpions
Just like the centipedes, scorpions are found all over Thailand and they are nocturnal so it’s not likely to see them during the day. However you can find them hiding under rocks during the day. Apparently, they are attracted to stale beer smell so get rid of empty bottles immediately.
Much as they are portray as fearsome creatures in the movies, most types are pretty harmless to human beings. The sting is as bad as a bee sting but it’s pretty harmless. Apparently, the smaller they are, the more painful the sting because they have more concentration of the poison in their bulbous tails.
The most common type in Thailand is the black scorpion. Scary as they look, compared to the Mexico and Middle East ones, their sting is pretty mild.
In case you get stung, treat the affected area immediately to reduce the swelling and avoid infection. Allergic reactions to a scorpion sting are rare, but some people to develop these.
Common treatment is anti-venom administration, breathing support whenever necessary, anti-tetanus jab and antibiotics to prevent infection. Ice packs do deal with the pain.
Mosquitoes
You might think that these little creatures don’t qualify to be on this list of dangerous animals in Thailand. Well think again. They cause serious health threats by transmitting Malaria, Dengue Fever or Japanese Encephalitis. Besides the health factor, these little creatures can ruin ones holiday because they are very irritating.
Much as the bites are harmless, they usually cause some minor irritation. Some people are allergic, making them get huge swellings that might take days to go down.
For mosquitoes, prevention is better. So apply a mosquito repellent at night and sleep under a mosquito net. If stung, you could get some ointments from local pharmacies to reduce inflammation. In case you are too scared about Malaria, take anti malaria medication as a preventative measure.
Jellyfish
You might not see sharks in Thai waters. But the jellyfish is one of animals of Thailand to really watch out for when swimming or snorkeling in the coastal waters of Thailand. Their stings are very painful and the injuries take even weeks to heal. Some might leave ugly scars.
In case you get stung, remove it gently and use vinegar to neutralize the sting. Bathing in fresh water will only make the pain worse. If the sting covers a large area, visit the hospital. Those particularly found in Hua Hin and Cha-am area are quite dangerous and their stings can be fatal.
Avoid swimming during dull, cloudy Phuket weather and after storms.
Dragonfish
Much as this type of animals of Thailand is rarely found in beaches, it is a very aggressive fish that is found around coral reefs in open sea. It is one of the most venomous type of fish. Divers and those snorkeling in Phuket and the surrounding areas are the ones highly at risk and most likely to encounter them. The sting is painful and might result in breathing problems and vomiting. If stung, seek help immediately as hospitalization might be necessary.
Conclusion
The thing is, whether you are visiting the coastal waters or just hanging out on land or in tourist resorts, we can’t escape the fact that you might encounter some of these dangerous animals in Thailand. But this doesn’t mean that now you cancel your Thailand vacation. We are just bringing you this information so that you can be aware of what to expect, take cautionary measures and how to react if you get stung.
The rule is to look but not touch when in the sea. And learn to quietly walk away from the other creatures as fast as you can lest you spoil your holiday with terrible pain and an unfortunate hospitalization. Talk to our Guides on a Simba Sea Trips boat tour and we’ll explain what to do if you fall victim to a sting or bite when on vacation in the Thai region.
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