Python greets Krabi highschooler in desk drawer

KRABI: A 17-year-old student received a nasty surprise when she opened her classroom desk to find a one meter-long snake on Monday.

The incident went viral on social media, with netizens sharing a picture of the snake inside the student’s drawer. Many urged schools across the province to increase their security and questioned how such a large snake could have made its way into the classroom.

The incident took place at Muang Krabi High School, in a classroom on the 4th floor.

“It was during the change from from 2nd to 3rd period,” the student, Nonthaporn Thongrot, told the Phuket Gazette. “While waiting for the teacher, I tried to put a dictionary into the drawer, but I could not because something was in there. I then used my hand to move whatever it was out of the way, and felt something warm and soft.”

“When I looked down, I was shocked, and screamed out loud,” she said. “Other students were also shocked and ran out of the room, and informed the school staff.”

Panomsak Kliangmak, a school janitor at Mueang Krabi High, arrived with a team and finally managed to bag the python after 20 minutes.

“Within this week, we’ve received reports of snakes coming into classrooms twice already. It was lucky that the snake was a python. If it had been a cobra, it would’ve been more dangerous,” Mr Panomsak said.

“From now on, we will check the surrounding area and the classrooms more frequently. Students themselves also have to take care and always report when they encounter a dangerous animal like that,” he added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong