Snake Farm in Bangkok
A friend of mine is dead keen on snakes so I took him to the Queen Saovabha Institute which is a snake farm, museum and snake education centre on Rama 4 Road near Silom.
Tickets were 200 baht and include a venom extraction show at 11.00am and a snake handling show at 2.30pm.
As you go in there are various species in tanks and pits outside, then inside on the 1st floor are dozens of amazing creatures from non-venomous species, such as the Corn Snake to more common and deadlier specimens like the Banded Krait, the Malayan Pitviper and, of course, lots of varieties of Cobras. Many of them were very active and seemed to be ‘posing’ for pictures. There is lots of detailed information in Thai and English on each species and plenty of general information on snakes.
Upstairs on the 2nd floor is a museum and information centre with displays giving info
on first aid for various snake bites and on how venom affects humans. In addition are video clips on evolution, mythology and anatomy of snakes.
The venom extraction show was preceded by a video on the history of this very modern centre, in both English and Thai, then the show itself featuring extraction from 3 cobras, which took place behind glass, but was shown in great detail and up very close on a big screen.
“If you never really understood snakes and always viewed them as monsters, then this is a great place to learn about them, and as you realize how fascinating they really are, you may change your opinion.”
Visit the link below to learn more.
http://www.saovabha.com/en/snakefarm_service.asp