Tourist wakes to find cobra slithering across their neck in Thailand hotel

The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on March 27. One guest suddenly bolted from the room screaming that a snake was on the bed, according to a Facebook post by Kannuttakorn Uttaranakron that has since drawn hundreds of thousands of views, Pattaya Mail reported.

The other guest, still half-asleep, initially assumed it was a nightmare. Seconds later, the reality became clear: a large black cobra was in the room, hissing as it moved across the bed.

“Snake… it crawled over my neck,” the panicked guest said, according to the post.

Neither guest was bitten. The viral video that followed captured a snake handler arriving to extract the reptile from behind and underneath the bed. The cobra, reportedly about 1.5 meters long, was visibly agitated and struck defensively when approached.

The video racked up hundreds of thousands of views within hours, with commenters calling the encounter a traveler’s worst nightmare. Many urged fellow tourists to inspect their rooms carefully, particularly at hotels near forests or undeveloped land, a common setting in scenic Thai destinations like Krabi, where lush jungle borders many resorts.

Snake intrusions at hotels and guesthouses are uncommon but not unheard of in Southeast Asia’s tropical climate. Cobras, pythons and other species occasionally enter buildings during hot weather or when their natural habitats are disturbed by construction or flooding.

Thailand is home to more than 200 snake species, roughly 60 of which are venomous, and hospitals across the country treat an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 snakebite cases each year.

Experts advise anyone who encounters a snake indoors to stay calm, keep their distance, and call for professional help rather than attempt to handle the animal.

Thailand’s national emergency medical number is 1669. Most venomous snake species in the country are protected by law, and improper handling can be fatal.

Krabi, on Thailand’s Andaman coast, draws around six million tourists a year, making it one of the country’s most popular beach destinations. The province’s appeal lies in its proximity to pristine islands and jungle-covered limestone karsts, the same natural landscape that occasionally brings wildlife uncomfortably close to tourists.