Nestled among the skyscrapers at Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (QSMI) in downtown Bangkok, it is home to 1,500 snakes of 50 species, including some of the deadliest in Southeast Asia.
Run by the Thai Red Cross, it conducts research and breeding programs as well as the production of antivenom to be used to treat snakebites in Thai hospitals.
Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute was established in 1922 following the wishes of King Rama VI for educational and humanitarian purposes, starting with the mission of producing vaccines against rabies and many other diseases. Now, the mission of Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute is to educate people about rabies and venomous snakes.
Upon entering the Bangkok Snake Farm, you will find a large garden and a covered outdoor exhibition area, mostly non-venomous snakes kept in cages or pits. On one side is the area is a theater, where snake shows are held. Behind the theaters, you will find large secure holding cages inhabited by Cobras and Pythons.
Behind the garden is a three-story building, the ground floor is where most of the local venomous snakes are displayed, the upper floor is the venom extraction, a museum, an exhibition area about snake evolution as well as other information about snakes such as anatomy, life circle, reproduction, toxicology, snakebite first aid when bitten by snakes and preserved snake bodies.
In particular, one of the most interesting activities on the farm is venom milking and use it to produce anti-snakebite serum. This activity takes place Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. at the indoor theater. There is also an engaging snake handling show takes place Monday-Friday at 2:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. on weekends and public holidays in the outdoor area.
The shows are presented in Thai and English, and while the activities go on, lots of information about snakes such as their habits, where to find them, their venom and what to do if you got bites are provided. At the end of the show, visitors can take pictures with a large python.
According to touristbangkok.com, tourismthailand.org
