You might associate all sorts of creepy crawlies, poisonous snakes, and spiders with hot tropical areas and be wondering how much of a danger this is to your dream holiday in Thailand. Are those beautiful clear waters full of water snakes, or will you open up the toilet to find a python has crawled through the pipes? These are most likely just horror stories, and Thailand is generally a very safe place to holiday without encountering anything of the sort!
While there are some venomous varieties of snakes and spiders found in Thailand, just like in most countries, these are mostly not likely to be encountered on your holiday unless you are trekking in the jungle, in which case, take caution with unfamiliar animals.
Still not convinced that you’ll be safe? Well, get into the details about what you can find, where they live and how to avoid them! Chances are, you’re worrying about nothing and will be able to enjoy a perfectly safe holiday in one of the most beautiful countries.
How to protect yourself
On a short holiday in Thailand, unless you’re camping or trekking, the scariest animal you’re likely to come across in the wild is a gecko. Yup, no different to the ones you get in your houses at home. They’re totally harmless, terrified of humans, and generally gather around sources of light. So there’s no need to worry about these familiar creatures. But it’s probably the unfamiliar ones that are causing any pre-travel anxiety.
We’ll get into what these unfamiliar types are and where they live later on, but for now, some tips on how to protect yourself.
- Shake out your shoes (and clothes, for good measure) before getting dressed. Spiders like to be cozy, and shoes provide the perfect hiding place for them. That’s why it’s easiest just to wear flip-flops! Just to be sure, though, give your clothes and shoes a shake before putting them on so that if anything has found its way in overnight, it is forcefully evacuated first!
- Seek medical attention immediately if you do get bitten. Even if it’s not a particularly venomous variety and could end up just causing pain that goes away after some time, such as a bee sting, there is always the risk of anaphylactic shock. You’re unlikely to know how your body will react, so rather to be safe, just get some medical attention as soon as possible.
- Avoid jungles and long grass. If you do go trekking, it’s best to notify people where you will be and to go with a guide who knows the area well. If walking through long grass, where snakes like to hide, make sure to take a long stick and tap the ground in front of you as you walk to give any potential snakes plenty of time to move.
- Don’t walk around without shoes – even indoors, and especially at night. It’s not worth the risk of standing on something, and much easier to just slip on some flip slops.
- Stay away from them, and they’ll stay away from you. This is the general rule with creepy crawlies. They are usually not curious about people, and their instinct is to run and hide from humans, so bear in mind that they are just as scared of you as you may be of them, and if they don’t see you as a threat, are unlikely to feel the need to defend themselves.
Having said all this, Thailand is one of the safest countries for travelers to go to, so the chances of any of these animals actually disrupting your holiday, let alone causing any serious harm or death, is minimal.
What creepy-crawlies are dangerous in Thailand?
Does Thailand actually have more dangerous creepy crawlies than other countries do? Not really. And are the ones that you might encounter or those that tend to shy away from people? Well, we’re about to find out!
Snakes
Out of many different types of snakes that you find in Thailand, only about a dozen are venomous. Whatever you do, do not try to kill the snake, though – this is always dangerous. If you do encounter snakes, the best thing to do is to move away slowly and wait until the snake has moved, even though your instinct may be to run. Some of the very venomous varieties will not try to escape but will attack if you get too close, so it’s best to keep a good distance and not move towards the snakes.
The deadliest variety found in Thailand is a type of cobra, the monocled cobra. Unfortunately, it is the most common too and can kill in just one bite. The Blue or Malayan Krait is another to look out for, and this can leave you dead within 24 hours. There are many other snake species in Thailand that are venomous, including the king cobra and multiple vipers, but luckily, out of around 7000 bites per year, there are only around thirty deaths. The best thing to do is get straight to a hospital and be treated with anti-venom.
Spiders
With only three deaths from spider bites worldwide per year, mostly due to allergic reactions, you have little to worry about here. Though Thailand is home to some venomous spiders, they tend to be forest dwellers. Venomous but not deadly is the commonly found huntsman spider. Tarantulas and black widows, one of the most poisonous spiders in the world, can be found here too.
Bites from spiders in general, though not deadly, should not be left untreated, as they can become infected. Bear in mind that sometimes symptoms from spider bites will only show days after the bite itself. These can include swelling around the bite, muscle cramps, fever, and exhaustion.
Others
While snakes and spiders are what may come to mind when thinking about scary creepy crawlies, there are some others that are worth noting, as they can deliver very painful, sometimes deadly bites and should be avoided if possible! Even if you can’t avoid them, you’ll be aware of them and recognize them if you do see them.
- The first of these is the giant centipede, which can grow to as big as a man’s forearm! These are found in both urban and rural areas, and when it rains, they venture indoors to avoid drowning. You will be able to spot them during the day, as they are large enough, but beware at night. They like to find dark places to hide, such as shoes or handbags, and if they are surprised and don’t have an escape, they will likely bite. Their bite won’t kill you, but the pain can last three to four days, with not even a shot of morphine able to help! Bites should be treated with painkillers and an anti-tetanus shot.
- Scorpions are another sneaky little variety to be mindful of. There are 18 different species in Thailand, and these guys like to hide out in your shoes. They are not deadly unless you have an allergic reaction to them but can deliver very painful stings. Something to note about these animals, too, is that the larger black ones are actually less venomous than the smaller brown ones. In general, be wearier of the smaller varieties of scorpion than the bigger ones, which look scarier, and keep in mind that these animals are nocturnal.
- Ants! Thailand doesn’t just have the harmless type that we’re used to finding around the honey pot in our kitchens at home. There are multiple species, some of which will not run but rather attack. The larger ones have pincers that will just nip your skin, but again, it is the smaller ones to beware of, as these can carry poisons and allergens that are injected into your skin when they bite. Though not deadly, these can be very painful, even for days afterward.
- Poisonous caterpillars are easily recognized by their bright coloring. Known locally as Buung Haan, this varietal has hairs that it can eject into the air, which will cause unpleasant skin irritations if they land on you.
The monocled cobra is one of the most deadly snakes in Thailand
This list may sound long, but in reality, just like in your home country, the chances of you encountering these creatures in your day to day if you’re on a beach or city holiday is very slim, and the chances of you being bitten or attacked by one, even less. Don’t let this stop you from enjoying a holiday in the tropical paradise that Thailand can be.
Are the waters in Thailand dangerous?
Your instincts may be telling you to run for the water to avoid all of these land-dwelling dangers, but be aware that, though not as many as on land, there are still dangers that lurk in the depths of the crystal-clear waters along Thailand’s coast. These are not nearly as deadly or venomous and just good to be cautious of. While typically you would not encounter any of these just swimming at a beach, those who venture further out or who explore underwater life through snorkeling or diving should be familiar with what they might find.
- With their habitat being destroyed and them being hunted for their skin, the numbers of wild crocodiles in Thailand have decreased drastically over the years. There are only a small number left in national parks, so you’re unlikely to encounter these animals in the wild. If you do come across them in the national parks, it is best to keep your distance.
- There are nine species of sharks in Thailand, but none of them are man-eating predators, and shark attacks are extremely rare. Like any wild animal, if a shark is encountered, it is best not to make any sudden movements and to keep your distance, as they will not attack unless they feel threatened. Divers are most at risk of encountering sharks, and those that do pose some degree of danger to humans, even though not high, include nurse sharks, blacktip and grey reef sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks.
While sharks aren’t an issue in Thai waters, jellyfish are what you need to look out for. Stings from these creatures can leave you in a lot of pain at best and scars at worst. Good to note is that the sun is dangerous to jellyfish, and so swimming on a sunny day is most safe. When there has been a recent storm or the weather is overcast is when you should be most careful. Note that freshwater can make the stings more painful when treating them, and after the sting has been totally removed from the skin, the area should be rinsed with vinegar.
- Box jellyfish are both the most common and the deadliest type of jellyfish in Thai waters. These venomous, cube-shaped invertebrates have long tentacles and are fast and able to navigate well. One of the deadliest creatures in the world, these animals and cause paralysis, cardiac arrest, and death within minutes and should be avoided just as much in the water as washed up ashore.
- Rockfish or Scorpionfish are nocturnal and very camouflaged during the day, living on coral reefs. If you do get stung by one of these venomous fish while snorkeling, which is extremely unlikely, you may experience intense pain, blistering, swelling, numbness, and vomiting, seizures, or death in rare cases.
Lionfish have distinctive stripes on their body, protruding spines, and are beautiful to look at. They are one of the most venomous fish in the ocean, and caution should be taken around them when diving near coral reefs. It is very rare that humans die from these fish.
What kind of bugs are in Thailand?
Here’s a plot twist: instead of considering the bugs that could eat you in Thailand, why not flip the situation on its head and think about what bugs you could get to try eating there? A number of bugs make for popular snacks in Thailand. Usually available as street food or at local markets, these insects, spiders, and scorpions are eaten by locals there, and many are a great source of protein!
Some of the things you might find available include silkworms, grasshoppers, bamboo worms, water beetles, crickets, cockroaches, spiders, and scorpions are some of the snacks you may find. You can eat them like nuts or chips or grind them up to use in your cooking. Some of them even come flavored, just like chips, with a chili flavor, for example. You could also dip them in soy sauce for added flavor, and they go well together with a beer.
This is perfectly safe – originating in northeast Thailand, the locals have been eating critters for many years and know-how to prepare them so that they are safe and delicious to eat. They all have different textures, and some can be likened to flavors you are already familiar with, such as corn (bamboo worms).
If this sounds too adventurous for you, just remember that it is a common practice – not only do locals not fixate on worrying about creepy crawlies, but they actively seek some of them out to munch on. Instead of letting anxiety get the best of you, why not consider becoming the hunter instead of the hunted and get familiar with these creepy crawlies in a way that puts you in control of the situation.
Conclusion
While Thailand is home to a variety of creatures, only a handful are venomous, and even fewer are deadly. As a tourist on holiday, you are unlikely to encounter many of these species, let alone be bitten and die from them. The healthcare system in Thailand is very good, and they are familiar with the most common types of bites and stings, fully prepared with knowledge of treatment. Further, by taking the recommendations of locals about where to go and where to avoid, you have no reason to worry about any of these creatures.
