In Bangkok, often described as the snakiest capital in the world, the presence of reptiles has become so pervasive that everyday objects like electrical wires and gas pump hoses are frequently mistaken for snakes. Pinyo Pukpinyo, a 56-year-old firefighter who joined the department at age 18, is recognized as the top snake catcher in Thailand's capital. He notes that his role involves significantly more reptile removal than actual firefighting.
The scale of this operation is substantial, with fire and rescue personnel capturing approximately 30,000 snakes annually across the city. During an average half-day shift, Mr. Pukpinyo personally wrangles more than 20 snakes found in diverse locations such as sewers, flowerpots, toilets, recycling bins, and tree branches where they hunt for geckoes and tree shrews.
The species encountered range from dangerous varieties like cobras, pythons, kraits, and pit vipers to harmless ones including tree snakes, rat snakes, kukris, and sunbeams. Despite the high volume of captures, Mr. Pukpinyo maintains a strict policy: he does not kill the snakes he catches. This commitment to preserving the animals has led to a logistical crisis, as he is currently running out of containers to house them.
Sources: The New York Times World.