Correction: Facebook group ’Snakes of Phuket’ later identified the snake as an oriental rat snake, not a cobra as initially reported. The error is regretted and The Phuket News is thankful for the input from our local community.
The incident was captured in a 15-second video shared by the ‘Hod Jang Phuket’ Facebook page. The post warned beachgoers to stay cautious, especially during hot weather when snakes are more active. The caption read: “Be careful of snakes playing in the water in hot weather. If you see something like this, it’s unbearable. The whole beach was shocked. A cobra played in the water at Kata Beach, Phuket. Luckily, it was caught before it bit a tourist.”
When the alarm was raised, lifeguards quickly safely removed it from the sea, placing it in a bag for release elsewhere. The quick response eased fears among tourists, who had been visibly alarmed.
Social media users had mixed reactions to the incident. Many praised the lifeguards for their swift action, while others joked about the boldness of the snake. Comments ranged from, “It’s good they caught it before anything happened,” to lighthearted remarks such as, “That snake was braver than most humans!”
Lifeguards have urged beachgoers to remain vigilant and report any unusual sightings to ensure everyone’s safety.
Despite the scare, the incident ended without injuries, and the snake was safely relocated. Tourists were able to return to their beach activities with newfound caution and a story to tell their friends.