Three year olds Pird and Tya the newest generation of cobra boxers watch the expert at Ban Kok Sa Nga north east Thailand
cobras at their village in north east Thailand They are being taught by Ban Kok Sa Nga s experts including Bualeechai Cunjaimeangesan aged 64 a celebrated cobra boxer Snake boxers who keep king cobras for this purpose do not hurt their snakes They shadow box showing their skills by close contact including kissing the deadly snake s head The people of Ban Kok Sa Nga known as the King Cobra Village in north east Thailand have had a symbiotic relationship with the King Cobra for more than 50 years At one time they hunted and ate the snakes which can grow to nearly 4 metres Today they are part of the conservation effort for the creature regarded as endangered in Thailand And the cobras help them by attracting people to see their shows so they can buy the village s herbal remedies including one that they use themselves wan ngu which saves their lives when they get bitten by a cobra They keep their cobras and other snakes under their homes just outside the temple in whose grounds they put on shows for visitors It is a favourite for tourists and Thais alike This picture shows Pird and Tya watching Bualeechai Cunjaimeangesan as he handles his king cobra at his home in Ban Kok Sa Nga
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Photo credit: © June Keeble/VisualGems / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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