It was just a normal evening doing dishes for this 64-year-old woman when she was suddenly attacked by a massive python and found herself fighting for her life for two hours on her kitchen floor.
Pythons may not be venomous, but they can give you a deadly hug.
A Startling Encounter While Doing Dishes
Arom Arunroj, a 64-year-old woman, was simply preparing to do her evening dishes at her home just outside Bangkok, Thailand, when she felt a sharp pain in her thigh.
Imagine doing something so normal one second, and the next second, you’re having a near-death experience.
Looking down, she realized a huge python had latched onto her leg and began wrapping itself around her body. This led to an intense two-hour struggle before help arrived.
Python’s Powerful Grip Holds Victim for Two Hours
The python, estimated to be between 13 and 16 feet long, wrapped itself tightly around Arunroj’s waist and torso. As she tried to pry the snake’s head away, it only tightened its grip. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t free herself.
For nearly two hours, she sat propped against her kitchen door, crying for help.
Neighbour Hears Her Screams and Help Finally Arrives
It wasn’t until a neighbor happened to walk by and hear her screams that help was called. By the time police and animal control arrived at her home, Arunroj was pale and completely exhausted. They used a crowbar to strike the snake’s head, forcing it to release its grip.
The snake slithered away before authorities could capture it.
Thankfully Arunroj was rescued at the last minute, but it also makes you wonder how things would’ve ended if her neighbor hadn’t decided to take a walk that night.
The Deadliest Hug in the World
At first glance, pythons may seem less dangerous than other snakes seeing as they’re not venomous – but would you rather die from poisoning or suffocation?
Though pythons are non-venomous, they are constrictors, meaning they kill their prey by wrapping around them and squeezing until they can no longer breathe.
While smaller pythons typically target small animals, larger ones like the one that attacked Arunroj are capable of taking on bigger prey, including pigs, dogs, and occasionally humans.
Snake Encounters Common in Thailand, But Attacks on Humans Are Rare
Snakes are commonplace in a country like Thailand, and snake encounters often form part of everyday life for residents. In 2023, over 12,000 people were treated for venomous bites.
However, attacks by large constrictors like the python that attacked Arunroj are still extremely rare. Most snake incidents involve smaller, venomous species. Despite the danger, fatalities from pythons are very uncommon.
The Largest Snakes in Thailand
The reticulated python is the largest snake species found in Thailand, growing anywhere between 5 to 21 feet long and weighing up to 165 pounds. These snakes usually prey on small mammals, but larger individuals may go after bigger animals. Though rare, human encounters with these massive snakes do happen, as Arom Arunroj’s story shows.
Woman Attacked by Python: Watch the Video
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