Rising temperatures and extreme weather are increasing human encounters with venomous snakes, according to health experts and data from Thailand and other regions.
The Ramathibodi Poison Center in Bangkok now handles about 1,500 snakebite-related calls annually, up from 1,000 four years ago. Staff answer questions on venomous species such as the king cobra and advise on antivenom use.
World Health Organization figures show up to 5.4 million snakebites occur worldwide each year, resulting in 138,000 deaths and 500,000 permanent disabilities. Asia accounts for up to 2 million envenomings annually.
Research links higher daily temperatures to increased bite likelihood. Droughts and floods push snakes into human areas, while warmer conditions in places like Arizona have led to earlier rattlesnake activity and more hotline calls in 2026.
Thailand maintains a national antivenom program with WHO-approved products produced at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute. The country distributes these treatments domestically and to neighboring nations, unlike many regions facing shortages.
