Hua Hin is home to dozens of snake species. Most are harmless, a few are dangerous. Here is how to tell them apart, what to do if you meet one, and when to actually worry.
If you live in Hua Hin, especially in a villa with a garden or anywhere near rural land, you will meet a snake sooner or later. Most are completely harmless and actually useful (they eat rats and frogs). A few are seriously dangerous. Learning to tell them apart turns fear into something closer to curiosity.
This guide covers the species you are most likely to encounter in the Hua Hin area, what to do if you get bitten, and how to keep snakes out of your property in the first place.
The Venomous Snakes of Hua Hin
These are the species worth being able to identify. None of them actively hunt humans. Most bites happen because someone tried to catch or kill the snake instead of leaving it alone.
King Cobra
Ophiophagus hannah
The world's longest venomous snake, averaging 3 to 4 meters. Highly neurotoxic venom. Usually shy but will defend nests aggressively. Back away slowly if you see one.
Monocled Cobra
Naja kaouthia
Common in central Thailand. Identified by the single ring marking on the back of the hood. Neurotoxic venom requires immediate medical attention.
Indo-Chinese Spitting Cobra
Naja siamensis
Can spray venom up to 2 meters, aiming for the eyes. If venom hits your eyes, flush with clean water immediately and seek medical help.
Malayan Krait
Bungarus candidus
Black and white banded snake up to about 1 meter. Active at night. Highly neurotoxic bite. Keep bedroom doors closed and check shoes before wearing them.
Banded Krait
Bungarus fasciatus
Yellow and black banded, larger than the Malayan Krait. Generally docile but venom is dangerous. Mostly nocturnal.
Malayan Pit Viper
Calloselasma rhodostoma
Reddish-brown with triangular markings. 60 to 90 cm. Found near water and wet areas. Bite causes severe pain, swelling, and tissue damage.
White-lipped Pit Viper
Trimeresurus albolabris
Bright green with a white stripe along the lower lip. Often found in trees and bushes. Bites cause local pain and swelling, rarely fatal but always requires treatment.
Big-eyed Pit Viper
Trimeresurus macrops
Similar to the white-lipped pit viper but with much larger eyes. Tree-dwelling, nocturnal hunter.
Mangrove Pit Viper
Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus
Found near coastal mangroves. Aggressive and venomous. Rarely encountered inland.
Red-necked Keelback
Rhabdophis subminiatus
Olive green with a red neck patch. Long considered harmless until recent classification as venomous. Bites are uncommon and usually mild.
The Harmless Snakes of Hua Hin
Most snakes you actually see will be from this group. They keep the rat and frog population down and want nothing to do with you. Identify them, leave them alone, and they will move on by themselves.
Reticulated Python
Python reticulatus
One of the largest snakes in the world. Wild adults average 3.7 meters but can reach over 5 meters. Excellent swimmer, often near water. Non-venomous but a large bite can do real damage.
Burmese Python
Python bivittatus
Heavy-bodied python, up to 5 meters. Found in forests and grasslands. Non-venomous constrictor.
Indochinese Rat Snake
Ptyas korros
Slender, fast-moving, and harmless. Eats rats and small vertebrates. Often spotted crossing rural roads. Welcome guest if you have a rodent problem.
Oriental Rat Snake
Ptyas mucosa
Up to 3 meters. Diurnal and ground-dwelling. Will inflate its neck and growl when threatened, but completely non-venomous.
Copperhead Racer (Radiated Rat Snake)
Coelognathus radiata
Brown to grey with black lateral stripes. Up to 2 meters. Will puff up its neck vertically when threatened, looking taller. Harmless defensive bluff.
Common Keelback
Xenochrophis flavipunctatus
Semi-aquatic snake found in slow rivers, ponds, and rice fields. Eats fish and frogs. Diurnal and harmless.
Golden Tree Snake (Flying Snake)
Chrysopelea ornata
Lime green with black checkered pattern. Mildly venomous but not dangerous to humans. Glides between trees better than any other snake species.
Painted Bronzeback
Dendrelaphis pictus
Olive or brown with a yellow stripe along the side. Diurnal hunter that eats lizards and frogs. Very nervous, flees swiftly if disturbed.
Long-nosed Vine Snake
Ahaetulla nasuta
Slender green snake that mimics a vine. Mildly venomous, no danger to humans. Hunts lizards and frogs using binocular vision.
Green Cat Snake
Boiga cyanea
Found in bushes and trees in woods and plantations. Nocturnal. Young snakes are orange or red, adults turn green over time.
Common Wolf Snake
Lycodon capucinus
Small, ground-dwelling, and easily mistaken for a krait due to similar markings. Non-venomous but nervous and will bite if handled.
Laotian Wolf Snake
Lycodon laoensis
Dark brown with white or yellow crossbands. Shy and non-venomous. Prefers hilly regions but sometimes near homes.
Banded Kukri Snake
Oligodon fasciolatus
Small snake found in lowland forests and rice paddies. Pale brown with darker bands. Non-venomous and harmless.
Keeled Slug Snake
Pareas carinatus
About 60 cm. Lives in lowland areas, active at dusk and night. Feeds entirely on snails and slugs. Completely harmless.
Common Mock Viper
Psammodynastes pulverulantus
Small snake (up to 65 cm) that mimics a viper when threatened, coiling and striking aggressively. Mildly venomous but not dangerous.
What to Do If You Find a Snake
- •Stay calm and back away slowly. Most snakes leave on their own
- •Do not try to catch or kill it. Most bites happen during attempts to handle snakes
- •Keep children and pets away from the area
- •Take a photo from a safe distance if possible (helps with identification)
- •Call the Wildlife Rescue Centre: 032-458-135
- •Or contact your property manager if you have one
What to Do If You Get Bitten
- •Stay as calm as possible. Panic raises your heart rate and spreads venom faster
- •Keep the bitten limb still and below the level of your heart
- •Remove rings, watches, or tight clothing near the bite area
- •Get to a hospital immediately. Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin (1719) has antivenom
- •If safe, take a photo of the snake for identification
- •Do NOT cut the wound, suck out venom, apply ice, or use a tourniquet
Prevention Tips for Your Property
- •Keep your garden tidy and grass short
- •Remove piles of leaves, wood, or rocks where snakes can hide
- •Seal gaps around doors, windows, and vents
- •Keep bird seed and pet food sealed (it attracts rats, which attract snakes)
- •Check your shoes before putting them on, especially if left outside
- •Use outdoor lighting at night to spot any visitors
If you manage your own rental property and snakes are a recurring issue, talk to us. We coordinate snake removal as part of our property management service so owners and tenants do not have to deal with it themselves.
