Mother Snakehead Fish Injures Boy in Flood‑Hit Village
During flood conditions in Ayutthaya, a 13‑year‑old boy was severely bitten by a mother snakehead fish after trying to play with her offspring. Rescue workers rushed him to hospital, and local fisheries officials warned the public to stay away from the protective fish. The incident highlights the dangers posed by wildlife in flooded areas.
Reporters were alerted to the incident on October 8, 2025, after a 13‑year‑old boy was bitten by a snakehead fish in the flooded community of Moo 12, Pakkran Subdistrict, Ayutthaya. The floodwaters were over one metre deep, and villagers relied on a wooden bridge to move in and out of the area. Beneath the bridge, a school of baby snakehead fish swam while a large female guarded them nearby. While the boy played with the young fish using his hand, the mother fish surged forward and bit his arm, tearing the flesh and causing significant bleeding. His neighbour called emergency services (1669) and rescue volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation transported him to Ayutthaya Hospital. Provincial fisheries officer Chonthicha Santipatananth explained that snakehead fish are aggressive predators that fiercely protect their young, especially during the breeding season, and warned people to avoid touching or disturbing the fish.
