King Cobra and Python Clash at Koh Phangan Resort

On October 21, 2026, staff at a resort in the Sri Thanu area of Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, requested emergency assistance after discovering two large snakes fighting near the property's swimming pool.

Nattawut Kanitthanan, a civil engineer and experienced rescue worker known locally as a snake expert, arrived at the scene with a rescue team. Upon arrival, they encountered a king cobra measuring over four meters in length tightly coiled around a 1.5-meter python. The rescue team utilized specialized equipment to safely separate the two reptiles, a process that took approximately five minutes.

For travelers and residents, this incident serves as a reminder of the diverse wildlife present in Thailand’s tropical environments. While such encounters are rare, they highlight the importance of maintaining awareness when near natural surroundings or resort grounds. Nattawut, who has over a decade of experience in snake handling, noted that this was the first time he had witnessed a king cobra attempting to consume a python of this size.

While the snakes were successfully separated, the incident underscores the necessity of contacting professional rescue services rather than attempting to intervene personally when encountering dangerous wildlife. No injuries to resort guests or staff were reported during the operation.