Tourism
Python Discovered in Phuket Songthaew Engine Bay
A python was safely removed from a songthaew engine in Phuket after being discovered by the vehicle's owner.
On September 15, 2026, Khaosod Online reported an incident in Phuket where a python was found coiled inside the engine compartment of a songthaew (a local passenger truck). The vehicle, registered in Phuket with license plate 10-1252, was parked near Wat Choeng Thale in the Thalang District when the snake was discovered around 1:30 a.m.
The vehicle owner, Kittiya Bell Bokam, contacted the Choeng Thale Subdistrict Municipality disaster prevention and mitigation unit out of concern for passenger safety. Responding officers successfully used specialized equipment to extract the reptile from the engine bay without incident. The snake was subsequently released back into its natural habitat.
For residents and travelers in Thailand, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vehicle maintenance and awareness, particularly in tropical regions where wildlife may seek shelter in warm engine bays. While such occurrences are relatively rare, they highlight the necessity of checking vehicles before operation, especially after they have been parked overnight. It remains to be confirmed if the snake had caused any mechanical damage to the vehicle during its time in the engine compartment, though the owner expressed relief that the situation was resolved before the vehicle resumed its passenger service.