A 13 year old boy was bitten on the right arm by a giant snakehead fish while playing with its young in floodwater outside his home in Ayutthaya yesterday, October 8.
The incident occurred in a community in Pak Kran subdistrict, where floodwater had risen to more than one metre. Residents had built wooden walkways to access their homes and avoid direct contact with the water, which may expose them to germs and disease.
According to the report, the boy was sitting on the walkway when he spotted a group of small fish swimming below. He reached into the water to scoop them up and play with them, but one of the larger fish bit his right arm.
The fish were later identified as a giant snakehead and its fry. The species is known for guarding its young, and the adult fish may become aggressive while protecting them.
Residents who checked on the boy told the media that the adult fish weighed around six to seven kilogrammes.
The boy ran to his mother while holding his injured arm, which was bleeding heavily. He was subsequently taken to hospital.
The incident has prompted renewed warnings for parents to supervise children during flooding and prevent them from playing in floodwater unsupervised. Fish and reptiles may pose risks, while strong currents can also endanger both children and adults.
The report also noted recent cases in which several boys drowned during flooding after swimming or walking through floodwater without adult supervision.
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