Are There Dangerous Animals In Thailand?

Thailand
credit: Yay

When people think about Thailand, some of the first things that come to mind are the beaches, the delicious local food, and the beautiful temples, but what about the animals? With many jungles filled with all sorts of creatures, many tourists wonder if there are dangerous animals in Thailand?

Yes, Thailand has dangerous animals. These animals, like the banded water snake, box jellyfish, and coral, can be found in the water. Other dangerous animals are located on land, like poisonous snakes, dogs, mosquitoes, scorpions, giant centipedes, and the Asian hornet.

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Are There Dangerous Animals In Thailand?

Yes, there are many dangerous animals in Thailand. Thailand is a gorgeous tourist destination, but there are animals that people need to be aware of if they travel to Thailand. It’s s vital that tourists are aware that these animals can be found in water or on land.

Thailand is one country that encourages tourists to take out travel insurance for around $200 per night, depending on what part of Thailand they are visiting. This helps the traveler get the needed medical care should they encounter any of the dangerous animals in Thailand.

Dangerous Animals Found In The Water In Thailand

Tourists like to swim in the canals, ocean, and other public swimming areas, but they must be careful as dangerous animals lurk in the waters. While it’s not very common to get bitten or stung by these animals, it is best to know more about them.

Water Snakes

Banded Sea Kraits are small yet docile snakes, but it hides a deadly venom called myotoxin within its body. It has a mild temperament and is not known to attack divers or swimmers. Nevertheless, it’s probably the most common snake in Thai waters, and tourists will see locals handling them without fear.

The best course of action, should anyone encounter this snake, is to keep still and let it swim past. Banded Sea Kraits don’t bite unless they are threatened.

Box Jellyfish

While tourists may not get bitten by the Banded Sea Kraits, they should look out for the Box Jellyfish. The sting you can get if you swim into these marine creatures can cause severe pain and injuries that can take weeks to heal and leave behind deep scars.

To avoid encountering jellyfish, you should avoid swimming when it is overcast or after a huge storm. Jellyfish like to stay away from the shore in hot sunny weather as the sun is harmful to them, so they come around during overcast weather or after a storm.

Live Or Dead Coral

Coral is not the typical creature people think of when it comes to dangerous animals. Live coral in Thailand has a sting similar to that of a jellyfish. The dead coral is very sharp and can cut those who unknowingly step on them.

Sharks

The waters around Thailand are home to at least 9 different shark species. Not all sharks are dangerous, but if you don’t know how to identify sharks, don’t take the chance and enter the water without a guide or a local!

Although shark attacks in Thailand are rare, with only 5 confirmed attacks, the 3 common sharks found in these waters are nocturnal hunters – The Zebra shark, the Blacktip Reef, and the Whitetip Reef Shark.

So stay out of the water at night, follow the rules during the day, and only swim where it’s safe!

Dangerous Animals Found On Land In Thailand

While the ocean or other waterways are not always safe to swim in because of dangerous water animals, most of the dangerous animals in Thailand are found on land. These animals are not known to attack, but there is a reason why Thailand encourages people to have travel insurance.

Snakes

The most common snake in Thailand is the Monocled Cobra, which is very dangerous. It can kill someone with one bite, as its venom is one of the fastest-acting snake venoms in the world. These snakes are found in grasslands, cities, and urban areas.

These snakes are so deadly because their venom can kill an adult person within an hour of being bitten. With them being so common, avoiding dark areas and wearing thick boots when walking outside is best.

Thai Scorpions

Scorpions are commonly seen in towns and urban areas. While their sting is painful, it’s not deadly, but if it’s left untreated, the site can get infected. Locals believe they are attracted to the smell of stale beer and recommend that people throw out beer bottles when they are finished.

The Giant Centipede

The giant centipede is extraordinarily creepy and can be found all over Thailand. They can reach lengths as long as a man’s forearm or around 8 inches long. Their bite is not deadly, but it is said to be so painful that even morphine will only help ease it a little.

They are not aggressive by nature, but locals advise people to take heed and keep out of their way as they will bite if provoked. Their bites look similar to a snake bite. Try to catch it if you can so that it can be identified and you can receive the correct treatment.

The giant centipede will creep into people’s homes, hotels, or B&Bs to get out of the rain and to look for food. They like to crawl into dark areas like the foot of the bed and even shoes, so travelers should watch where they step and shake out their shoes on the floor before putting them on.

Dogs

As strange as it might sound, Thailand has a huge problem with stray dogs. Of the 8.5 million dogs in Thailand, over 790 000 are strays. These dogs have been abandoned by their owners and left to fend for themselves.

What makes them so dangerous is that they pose a huge risk of rabies. Rabies is a widespread problem in Thailand, and stray dogs are one of the leading causes. As a result, tourists are asked not to approach them and to seek medical attention urgently if they are bitten.

Monkeys

Thailand is home to 5 types of Macaque monkeys, with the Crab-eating or long-tailed Macaque being the most common.

While these monkeys are generally friendly, they can become aggressive if they want something you have or if you smile at them – showing your teeth can be a sign of aggression to monkeys!

Monkeys do carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans via scratches and bites. Always remember that monkeys are wild animals and will bite if they feel threatened!