A homeowner was alarmed and called rescue workers to catch a nearly 4-meter-long king cobra attempting to slither into the house. Meanwhile, lottery enthusiasts flocked to observe the "lucky numbers," believing it to be a guardian snake bringing fortune during the Chinese New Year festival.
On 12 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters learned that rescue personnel from the Krabi Pitakpracha Foundation in Lam Thap District, Krabi Province, received an emergency call from residents reporting a large king cobra nearly 4 meters long slithering in front of house number 199, Village No. 8, Lam Thap Subdistrict. Concerned the snake might enter the house and endanger residents, the rescue team promptly responded. Upon arrival, they found the homeowner waiting, who had coaxed the snake into a woodpile beside the house while waiting for the team to capture it.
The rescue team used a stick to check inside the woodpile and found the king cobra coiled beneath it. They then used snake-catching equipment to tie a rope around the snake's head and carefully pulled it out. The snake was placed into a sack and released in a location far from the village.
The homeowner and nearby residents believe the snake is a guardian spirit and may bring them luck this Chinese New Year, as the festival approaches. They did not miss the chance to note the house number to use as lottery numbers for good fortune.
Officials cautioned that as the dry season begins, snakes leave the forest searching for water sources, which may bring them into communities. Additionally, this period is mating season for king cobras, causing them to be more visible. They urged people to immediately report any sightings to authorities.