Tourists vacationing in Thailand, primarily those in Bangkok, as well as in several resorts, were warned about a new disaster. The aftermath of a strong typhoon flooding rivers, particularly the Chao Phraya, will lead to the city being invaded by many snakes, including poisonous ones, as well as other dangerous fauna such as scorpions and centipedes. Advice “what to do?” they give out even to tourists.
According to local media, on average, only one team of snake catchers catches about 80 reptiles per day, including vipers and cobras, whose bite is dangerous for humans. “You should not think that you can meet snakes only in the jungle. This rainy season’s flooding has driven the snakes from their habitats, and they are flooding urban areas. “Snakes hide from bad weather, crawling into houses and shops, where there is warmth and shelter,” experts say. They also give examples of victims – one woman was bitten by a snake in the underground parking lot of a supermarket, and another was unlucky enough to meet a cobra in a pile of laundry prepared for washing.
“We are warning all residents and tourists: please be aware of the dangers posed by poisonous animals such as snakes, centipedes, and scorpions. If you are bitten or stung, it could be life-threatening,” is the official warning issued by Thai municipalities, especially in flood-affected areas.
They also prepared a manual for tourists on how to avoid a snake bite and what to do if it does happen. It is noted that more than 200 species of snakes live in Thailand, 60 of which are poisonous. The most poisonous snakes in Thailand include cobras, rattlesnakes, some types of vipers, and others. Many species look similar, experts add.
The main rule of thumb to avoid a bite, they say, is if you spot a snake, let it follow your business. As a rule, snakes do not attack humans first, so it is advisable to stay calm and stay away from them. If the reptile is in an inappropriate place, such as a hotel or shop, and may pose a threat to other people – tourists are advised to contact the police to call in a team of professionals – there is much less risk.
However, as already mentioned, snakes often find secret places and unpleasant encounters happen faster than tourists would like. So they are also given recommendations on what to do if the snake does bite. And they are:
- Try not to panic. Even if you are bitten by the most poisonous snake, it may not have time to release its venom. And even if the poison got into the body, “it may take 30 minutes for serious symptoms to appear.”
- Get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. If it is not possible, you can call an ambulance by calling the Thailand Ambulance Hotline at 1669.
- Ideally, it’s good to remember what a snake looks like because different types of bites require different treatments. However, such meetings often happen suddenly, the management says.
- Before coming to the doctor or the arrival of an emergency wound, it is advisable to wash the bite with clean water, if it is available. In no case should you cut the wound, cauterize it with an electric current, apply ice to it, apply for any medicines, etc.
- In no case should you also try to suck the poison out of the wound? This is the most common myth, assures the Thai leadership. It has not been proven that this way can remove the poison from the body, but it can increase the damage at the site of the bite.
- It is strictly forbidden to use alcohol and medicines containing aspirin when bitten by a snake.
It is advisable to minimize all movements, especially in the wound area. If you’ve been bitten on the hand, management says, it’s best not to move it. Movement “causes the absorption of more poison” and spreads it through the body. - “If a victim of a snake bite has stopped breathing before arriving at the hospital, he should be given first aid. The venom of some venomous snakes, such as cobras, king cobras, and rattlesnakes, paralyzes a person. Deaths resulting from the bites of such snakes are usually associated with respiratory arrest,” adds the management.