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Thailand is a country with rich and
diverse nature, where thousands of animal species can be found. From dense
jungles and mountain forests to coral reefs and beaches, each ecosystem is
inhabited by unique representatives of fauna. Here you can meet elephants,
monkeys, rare birds, exotic snakes and many marine inhabitants.
However, among this natural beauty there
are also dangerous animals that can pose a threat to humans. Some snakes have
deadly poison, certain types of sea creatures can cause severe burns or
paralysis, and wild elephants and monkeys can be aggressive. Tourists visiting
Thailand should be aware of potential dangers and know how to avoid unwanted
situations.
This article will help you understand
which animals pose the greatest threat, how to behave when you encounter them,
and what precautions you should take to ensure your holiday in Thailand is
safe.
Snakes
Thailand is home to a large number of
snakes, including some deadly poisonous species. You can encounter a snake in
the jungle, on farmland, near rivers, and even in cities. Most often, snakes
avoid people, but if they feel threatened, they can attack.
Spectacled cobra (Naja kaouthia)
What is
dangerous:
The spectacled cobra is one of Asia's
most famous venomous snakes. Its venom contains powerful neurotoxins that
attack the nervous system, causing muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and,
in severe cases, death by suffocation. The venom can also cause severe local
tissue destruction if the bite occurs on the extremities.
How to avoid a
meeting:
●
Do not approach a snake if you see
it in the forest, on the road or near water;
●
Avoid walking barefoot in tall
grass or jungle, always wear closed shoes;
●
If the cobra has flared its hood
and risen in an aggressive pose, carefully retreat back without making any
sudden movements.
What to do if
bitten:
- Stay calm and don't panic - the more you move, the faster the
poison spreads;
- Immobilize
the injured limb, but do not apply a tourniquet;
- Call an
ambulance immediately or urgently take the victim to the hospital;
- Do not cut the bite site or suck out the venom - this can only
make the situation worse.
📌 Where to look for help:
●
Nearest hospital (most major
hospitals in Thailand have antidote);
●
In emergency cases, call 1669
(ambulance in Thailand).
Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus)
What is
dangerous:
This species of krait is one of the most
poisonous in Asia. Its venom is 16 times stronger than that of a cobra and
affects the nervous system, causing severe muscle weakness, loss of control
over the body and respiratory function. Unlike a cobra, the krait does not warn
of an attack, and its bite can be almost painless, so victims often do not
immediately realize that they have been bitten.
How to avoid a
meeting:
●
Do not leave shoes outside -
kraits may crawl inside;
●
Do not walk barefoot at night
(they are active after sunset);
●
If you spend the night in a tent,
close it tightly.
What to do if
bitten:
●
Go to hospital immediately! The
antidote must be administered as quickly as possible;
●
Do not move the bitten limb - the
poison spreads through the lymphatic system;
●
If the bite occurs at night, do
not ignore even mild symptoms - kraits can kill a person in their sleep, as
paralysis occurs gradually.
Tree viper (Trimeresurus albolabris)
What is
dangerous:
This bright green species of snake is
often found in trees and bushes. Unlike kraits and cobras, the venom of the
tree viper is not lethal, but it does cause severe swelling, bleeding, tissue
necrosis, and prolonged recovery.
How to avoid a
meeting:
●
Do not grab onto branches and
vines in the jungle without checking;
●
Wear long pants and boots when
walking through dense vegetation.
What to do if
bitten:
●
Don't panic! Although the bite is
painful, the poison is not fatal;
●
Do not apply a tourniquet - this
may worsen the condition of the tissue;
●
Go to the hospital to receive an
antidote if there is extensive swelling or bleeding problems.
Scorpios
Thailand is home to black and brown
scorpions, whose stings can be painful but rarely fatal.
What is
dangerous:
Scorpion venom causes severe pain,
redness, numbness and inflammation, and in allergy sufferers, dangerous
reactions, including anaphylactic shock.
How to avoid a
meeting:
●
Check shoes and clothes before
putting them on;
●
Do not touch rocks or tree bark
with bare hands;
●
Use a flashlight at night if you
are walking on nature trails.
What to do if
bitten:
●
Cool the bite area (ice or cold
water);
●
Take an antihistamine if you are
prone to allergies;
●
If symptoms worsen, go to the
hospital immediately!
Wild elephants
Although elephants are a symbol of
Thailand, wild ones can be extremely dangerous. Encounters with them can happen
in national parks, especially during the rainy season when they are more active.
What is
dangerous:
An irritated or frightened elephant can
attack tourists, cars, buildings. Their attacks are deadly, as the animal has
enormous strength.
How to avoid a
meeting:
●
Do not approach elephants, even if
they appear peaceful;
●
If you are driving a car and see
an elephant, do not try to drive next to it, but drive back;
●
Do not feed wild elephants as this
may make them aggressive.
What to do when
attacked:
●
Move out of the animal's path as
quickly as possible;
●
If an elephant is running towards
you, run away in zigzags (they are less maneuverable than humans);
●
Don't make any sudden movements -
sometimes an elephant is just showing a threat, and not attacking seriously.
Monkeys
Thailand's monkeys, especially macaques,
appear cute but can actually be aggressive and dangerous.
What is
dangerous:
●
They may attack a person because
of food or shiny objects;
●
Their bites can transmit rabies
and infections;
●
They often steal things (phones,
glasses, bags).
How to avoid
problems:
●
Don't feed the monkeys! They
become aggressive and start demanding more food;
●
Keep bags closed and do not take
out food in front of macaques;
●
Avoid approaching groups of
monkeys - if one attacks, the others will support you.
What to do if
bitten:
●
Immediately wash the wound with an
antiseptic and consult a doctor;
●
It is imperative to get a rabies
vaccination, even if the monkey looked healthy.
Dangerous Sea Creatures of
Thailand
Diving into the underwater world of
Thailand is an incredible adventure, but the country's sea waters contain
creatures that can be dangerous to humans. Most of them are not aggressive, but
accidental contact or carelessness can lead to serious injuries. It is
important to know which sea creatures require special care and what to do in an
emergency.
Jellyfish
Box Jellyfish
What is
dangerous:
The box jellyfish is one of the most
poisonous sea creatures on the planet. Its tentacles are covered with thousands
of stinging cells that release a powerful neurotoxin when they come into
contact with the skin. This can cause immediate, excruciating pain, paralysis,
cardiac arrest, and even death within minutes.
How to avoid a
meeting:
●
During the season when they appear
(November – April), avoid swimming in little-known bays.
●
Pay close attention to warning
signs on beaches.
●
Use a wetsuit or protective clothing
when swimming in areas where jellyfish are likely to appear.
What to do in
case of a burn:
- Do not rub the burn site! This will increase the release of
poison.
- Pour
vinegar over the affected area (it neutralizes the effect of the toxin).
- Call an ambulance (1669) and go to the hospital immediately.
Portuguese Man-of-War
What is
dangerous:
This organism looks like a jellyfish, but
is actually a colony of polyps. Its tentacles can reach up to 30 meters in
length and cause severe chemical burns.
How to avoid a
meeting:
●
If a Portuguese man-of-war washes
up on the shore, do not touch it - even dead it remains toxic.
●
When swimming in the open sea, pay
attention to unusual blue bubbles on the surface of the water.
What to do in
case of a burn:
●
Do not rinse with fresh water!
Only sea water or vinegar.
●
Remove any remaining tentacles
with tweezers or a card, without touching with bare hands.
●
If a severe allergic reaction
occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
Fish
Stonefish
What is
dangerous:
The stonefish is one of the most
poisonous fish in the world. It camouflages itself as the bottom and corals,
and has poisonous spines on its back. Stepping on it can cause unbearable pain,
swelling, tissue necrosis, and respiratory arrest.
How to avoid:
●
Wear special coral slippers,
especially in areas with rocky bottoms.
●
Do not step on rocks without
checking them for stonefish.
What to do if
bitten:
●
Immediately immerse the affected
limb in hot water (45°C) – this will help destroy the toxin.
●
Go to the hospital - antidote is
necessary in case of severe poisoning.
Lionfish
What is
dangerous:
This beautiful fish with long poisonous
fins can cause serious burns. Lionfish venom causes swelling, paralysis, severe
pain and respiratory failure.
How to avoid:
●
Do not approach the fish, even if
it looks harmless.
●
When diving, do not touch coral
reefs with your hands.
What to do in
case of a burn:
●
Place the affected area in hot
water (the poison is heat-labile and is destroyed at high temperatures).
●
In case of severe reaction,
contact a medical center.
Moray Eel
What is
dangerous:
Moray eels rarely attack humans, but if
provoked, they can deliver a powerful bite. Their jaws are equipped with sharp
teeth, and their saliva contains bacteria that cause infections and inflammation.
How to avoid:
●
Do not put your hands into
crevices of coral reefs.
●
Do not try to feed the moray eel -
this may result in a bite.
What to do if
bitten:
●
Rinse the wound with sea water and
then treat with an antiseptic.
●
If there is heavy bleeding or
signs of infection, consult a doctor.
Mollusks
Cone Snail
What is
dangerous:
This beautiful mollusk looks harmless,
but its poison can paralyze the nervous system and lead to death. The bite is
almost painless, but after a while respiratory failure may begin.
How to avoid:
●
Do not pick up shells with
beautiful patterns, especially underwater.
What to do if
bitten:
●
Provide rest and seek immediate
medical attention.
Sea urchins
What is
dangerous:
Their needles break easily and remain in
the skin, causing inflammation and infection.
How to avoid:
●
Wear special swimming shoes.
What to do upon
contact:
●
Remove needles with tweezers if
possible.
●
Soak the affected area in hot
water.
●
If suppuration occurs, contact a
clinic.
Conclusion
The nature of Thailand is not only
stunning beaches and coral reefs, but also dangerous creatures that you should
be careful with. These animals and sea creatures do not attack first, but if
you disturb them or accidentally step on them, the consequences can be serious.
The most important thing is to show
respect for nature, not to try to contact wild fauna and remember that
prevention is better than cure. Before going into the water, it is useful to
study the basic safety rules, and in case of emergency - immediately seek
medical help.
