A relaxing tropical getaway turned into a terrifying ordeal for a couple in Krabi, Thailand, after they woke up to find a large cobra crawling across their necks. The chilling encounter, which took place at approximately 5:00 am on 27 March, has since gone viral on social media, racking up hundreds of thousands of views and sparking renewed safety warnings for travellers staying in exotic locations. One of the guests reportedly bolted from the bed in a panic, screaming that a snake had entered their room.
Initially, the other guest remained in a semi-conscious state, dismissing the frantic cries as a bad dream until the reality of the situation set in. A large black cobra, estimated to be around 1.5 metres in length, was found hissing and moving aggressively across the bedding. “It crawled over my neck,” the traumatised guest recounted in a Facebook post by Kannuttakorn Uttaranakron, which was later highlighted by the Pattaya Mail. Fortunately, despite the close proximity to the venomous reptile, neither of the guests sustained any bites during the incident.
Footage of the event captured a professional snake handler arriving at the resort to extract the agitated cobra from beneath the bed frames. The video shows the reptile striking defensively as the specialist worked to secure it and remove it from the guest suite. While such intrusions are considered rare in high-end accommodations, experts note that Southeast Asia’s tropical climate and the proximity of resorts to lush jungles mean that wildlife encounters are an occasional reality for tourists in the region.
Thailand is home to over 200 species of snakes, with approximately 60 of them being venomous, leading to thousands of snakebite cases treated annually across the country. Authorities have advised that if a snake is encountered indoors, individuals should remain calm and contact emergency services immediately rather than attempting to handle the creature themselves. In Thailand, the national emergency medical number is 1669, and many venomous species are protected under local conservation laws.
The province of Krabi remains one of Thailand’s most popular destinations, attracting roughly six million visitors every year to its iconic limestone karsts and pristine beaches. However, this viral incident serves as a stark reminder for travellers to inspect their rooms thoroughly, especially when staying in villas or hotels bordering undeveloped forest land. As the video continues to circulate online, many commenters have labelled the event a “traveller’s worst nightmare,” urging increased vigilance for those holidaying in the Andaman coast region.
