In Bangkok, where snakes are a common occurrence, Pinyo Pukpinyo has established himself as the city’s leading snake catcher. Each year, fire and rescue personnel in Bangkok capture approximately 30,000 snakes, and during a typical half-day shift, Pukpinyo wrangles more than 20 of them. These snakes can be found in various locations, including sewers, flowerpots, toilets, and even recycling bins.
Pukpinyo handles a variety of snakes, including cobras, pythons, kraits, and pit vipers, all known for their potential danger. However, he also encounters harmless species such as tree snakes, rat snakes, kukris, and sunbeams. At 56 years old, he has dedicated a significant portion of his life to snake-catching, having joined the fire department at the age of 18. He emphasizes that, unlike some, he does not kill the snakes he captures, but instead focuses on safely relocating them.
