A four-metre king cobra caught at a Phangan resort — it was swallowing a python

The snake was found on the resort grounds while it was eating a python.

After more than 10 years as a snake catcher, Surat Thani rescuer Sergeant Nattawut Kanittanan witnessed for the first time in his career a king cobra strangling a python at a resort on Koh Phangan.

SURAT THANI, Thailand — A giant king cobra over four metres long was found strangling a one-and-a-half-metre python by the pool at a resort in Moo 8, Ban Sri Thanu, on Koh Phangan (Surat Thani province). The incident happened on 21 October around 11:00, surprising a sergeant with more than ten years of experience.

Resort staff called rescuers for help, worried that the two fighting snakes could pose a danger to guests. Sergeant Nattawut Kanittanan, a civil engineer with the Rural Roads Department and a volunteer with the Kusol Sattha Surat Thani foundation, arrived with the Koh Phangan rescue team and special equipment.

By the resort pool, the team found the king cobra tightly coiled around the python. Using professional tools and taking precautions, the specialists separated the snakes in about five minutes.

Nattawut said he has been rescuing snakes for more than 10 years, but had never before seen a king cobra hunting another snake. King cobras are highly venomous predators that feed on other snakes.

After separating the animals, rescuers took them away to release them back into the wild.

Authorities reminded people not to approach snakes or try to catch them themselves. If you find a snake, call rescuers or trained specialists so everyone stays safe.