What was supposed to be a fun reptile show in Phuket, Thailand, soon turned gruesome after a Chinese woman was attacked by one of the snakes in it.
Tourists flock to Thailand’s numerous animal zoo and conservation facilities, despite warnings from animal welfare activists that, in many of these facilities, animals are kept in run-down, unsuitable enclosures and overexposed to visitors.
Phuket Snake Farm, located near Simon Cabaret in Patong, is just one of the many centers that has been accused of animal cruelty, offering visitors a chance to see, touch, and take photos with a variety of snakes and other animals.
Professional snake handlers put on a show for visitors five times a day, combining comedy and survival tactics for what to do should you encounter a snake in the wild. Part of the show’s big finale is the “death kiss”, where one of the handlers risks kissing a cobra.
Unfortunately, those survival skills didn’t come in handy for one Chinese woman in the audience, who received an unexpected “death kiss” from a python during her visit to the show on January 9.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvHdPpwhdE0
Though the bite drew blood and was obviously painful, luckily the species of python that bit her wasn’t venomous.
Following the incident, the woman was taken to Phuket International Hospital, where her wounds were cleaned and stitched up.
▼ Ouch.
Unlike the tale of the princess and the toad, however, no handsome prince appeared to whisk her away after her reptilian encounter. Still, you could say this story has somewhat of a happy ending, as the victim was awarded over US$3,000 in restitution from the company that owns the farm upon being discharged.
Source: YouTube/Aussie Thailand Explorers, YouTube/Sina premium via Toychan.net
Top/feature image: YouTube/Sina premium