KHON KAEN: A king cobra about four metres long was found alive in a parcel sent to this northeastern province on Tuesday.
Rescue workers were called to a J&T Express branch at the Pratunam Khon Kaen wholesale market in Muang district on Tuesday morning.
Staff at the branch made the call after seeing a paper box moving by itself and hearing a hissing sound.
At the courier's branch, the rescue workers opened the box and found a black fabric bag with the live king cobra inside.
Courier staff immediately dispersed, with some screaming with fear.
Rescue worker Siriprom Singpong said that he touched the bag before opening it and felt the snake.
Everyone at the scene was stunned and could not believe a live snake would be delivered in the box.
The snake was sent to King Cobra Village in Nam Phong district, while police were tracing its sender and recipient.
A rescue worker tries to capture the king cobra as courier staff observe from a safe distance. (Photo: Chakrapan Natanri)