Of all the weird and wonderful bugs in Thailand, large and small, this one “creeps me out” the most. It truly is a “creepy crawly” in every sense. This giant centipede (see pictures below) has quite a fearsome reputation in Thailand. It is said that a bite from this monster centipede is excruciatingly painful, even more so than a snake bite, and can last several days.
I believe the correct name for this centipede is the Vietnamese Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes). It is found in Southeast Asia and tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide.
It can grow to a monstrous 10–12 inches in length and live for up to 10 years. I estimate the one in these photos is between 7 and 8 inches long and dead.
Known as “Takhab” (ตะขาบ) in Thai, centipedes are among the most dangerous bugs in Thailand. They are typically reddy-brown and have 18–19 body segments, with a pair of legs on each segment.
It’s only the second time I have seen one of these monster centipedes in Pattaya. Fortunately, they were both dead. The one in the photos was on the footpath behind the Pattaya Sign at Bali Hai, and by the looks of it, someone killed it by bashing it with a stick.
If you happen to come across one of these centipedes in Thailand, treat it with caution. If you aggravate them, they will bite. They have specially adapted front legs that act as pincers, which they use to catch their prey and then inject it with venom to kill it. The centipede will use these same pincer-like legs to bite you.
In Thailand, giant centipedes might be found underneath rocks and tree logs, in damp foliage, or partially buried in loose, damp soil. They have also been known to shelter inside shoes.
They are nocturnal and feed on insects and small animals of a similar size to themselves, including lizards, frogs, and small rodents.
A bite from one of these centipedes is extremely painful, and the pain can last for four or five days. Severe swelling and bruising often result from being bitten. Some people may suffer more adverse effects, such as breathing difficulties and a rapid heartbeat. Children are especially at risk and should be taken to the hospital if bitten by one of these centipedes. It is probably a good idea to see a Doctor anyway if you get bitten.