Emergency responders prepare to capture what appeared to be a cobra in a Central Pattaya condominium parking lot before discovering it was actually a rubber toy snake.
PATTAYA, Thailand – What began as a late-night snake emergency at a Pattaya condominium ended in relief and laughter after a cobra reported in a parking area turned out to be nothing more than a rubber toy. At approximately 10:00 p.m. on June 17, Pattaya City disaster prevention and mitigation officers and firefighters received a request for assistance from residents at a condominium in Central Pattaya. The caller reported a potentially dangerous venomous snake in the parking lot. Emergency personnel quickly arrived at the scene and found what appeared to be a cobra with its hood spread and head raised in a threatening posture.
With visibility limited due to the darkness, officers cautiously prepared snake-catching equipment and approached the reptile carefully. However, after illuminating the area and observing the snake more closely, they noticed something unusual – it was not moving. A closer inspection revealed that the feared cobra was actually a rubber toy snake, likely intended for use as a bird deterrent. The discovery brought relief to both the responding officers and the resident who had raised the alarm.
The caller, 36-year-old Kanthicha, said she was about to get into her car when she spotted what looked like a cobra in the parking lot. Alarmed by the sight, she immediately informed condominium security staff and requested assistance from emergency services out of concern that someone could be harmed. She said she felt greatly relieved when officers confirmed the snake was fake. Authorities believe the rubber snake may have fallen from an upper floor of the condominium, where residents sometimes place such items on balconies or rooftops to keep birds away. To prevent future confusion and unnecessary emergency callouts, officers removed and disposed of the toy snake.
