Behind the Scenes: Our Commitment to Animals and Community on Koh Samui

“This snake could have been one of two species: one being totally harmless, and the other being the most venomous snake in Thailand. We couldn’t take any chances.” - Misty Dowling

Something you may not know about us..

Running a business on Koh Samui is about more than just offering a memorable stay at Baan Suay Bantai to us—it's also about contributing to the community and the natural world that surrounds us, especially the animals that inhabit this beautiful island. You may know us for the peaceful ambiance and authentic accommodation, but there's another side to what we do that you likely don't know about because this isn't something we’ve publicly shared until now: our commitment to supporting local animal welfare.

Today, we’d like to give you a glimpse behind the scenes and share a recent “day in the life” story.

Living on Koh Samui offers us a unique blend of nature, animals, and community. While it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of the beaches and tropical scenery, there's a lot happening behind the scenes. Today, we want to share a glimpse into the other side of life on Samui—the part that involves caring for the animals and helping with wildlife and domestic animal rescue.

A Day in the Life: An Unexpected Snake Rescue

It was around 9:30 PM, and I was on my laptop, working on the design for an updated flyer for the Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation Samui. I love contributing to the incredible work they do for animals here on the island. Volunteering my time for projects like this always feels fulfilling.

As I was focusing on the flyer, Michel suddenly got a message from a nearby restaurant owner. They had just spotted a black-and-white snake near their kitchen. Here’s the thing—this snake could have been one of two species: one being totally harmless, and the other being the most venomous snake in Thailand. We couldn’t take any chances. Michel and I dropped everything, jumped on the motorbike, and rushed over to the restaurant.

When we arrived, it turned out to be exactly what we thought: an extremely venomous Malayan Krait. It was stunning to see, but we knew how deadly it could be if anyone got too close or, worse, got bitten. This snake had to be relocated, not only for the safety of the people nearby but for the snake’s safety too.

While the Malayan Krait is highly venomous, it’s not aggressive and typically tries to avoid human contact. And true to form, this one was no different. As soon as we approached, the snake made a swift escape attempt, slipping into the surrounding jungle-like area. We tried to follow it, searching for any sign of its presence, but it was simply too fast to catch safely. After several attempts to locate it in the thick undergrowth, we had no choice but to return home.

We hadn’t reached home yet, as we stopped by the local convenience store for some quick groceries, when Michel’s phone buzzed again. “It’s back!” The restaurant owner had spotted the snake again in exactly the same spot.

Without a second thought, we rushed back for round two. When we arrived, the Krait had found an even trickier hiding spot underneath the building’s structure. Michel tried again to secure it, but just like the first time, it moved too quickly for him to catch it. Once more, we headed home empty-handed, but knowing it would likely return.

Later that night, just as we were getting ready for bed, Michel’s phone went off again: “It’s back!” For the third time, the persistent snake had made its way back to the restaurant. They say third time’s a charm, and sure enough, Michel was finally able to capture the snake without harming it.

This was no ordinary snake rescue. The Malayan Krait is extremely rare on Koh Samui, and it was the first time we’d encountered one in the wild. Rather than releasing it immediately, we decided to bring the snake home and contact the expert at the Snake & Wildlife Rescue Foundation. While Michel is incredibly knowledgeable about snakes, we knew that the foundation could provide the best care and ensure the snake was released in a location that would keep both it and the local community safe.

The next morning, Phil from the Snake & Wildlife Rescue Foundation came to pick up the snake. He would ensure the animal was healthy and ready to be returned to the wild, giving it the best chance at survival without posing a danger to anyone.

Our Personal Efforts: Feeding and Caring for Local Strays

While that night’s snake rescue was a bit of an adrenaline rush, much of our day-to-day animal care is more routine—but no less important. Michel and I regularly make feeding rounds for the stray dogs and cats around the island, offering food, flea and tick prevention, and basic medical care. Some of these animals are completely without owners, while others belong to locals who simply don’t have the financial means to properly care for them.

On Koh Samui, dogs often live outdoors without leashes or collars, and it’s common for even owned dogs to roam freely. You might not always know whether a dog has an owner, but regardless, we do what we can to ensure they’re fed, healthy, and cared for when needed.

However, we’re just one tiny part of a much larger effort on the island. Two local organizations play an essential role in providing care for Koh Samui’s animals: Dog & Cat Rescue Samui and Samui Snake & Wildlife Rescue.

Dog & Cat Rescue Samui: A Lifeline for Stray Animals

Since 1999, Dog & Cat Rescue Samui has been at the forefront of animal welfare on the island. They operate with a clear mission: to sterilize, vaccinate, and treat stray dogs and cats, helping them live healthier, safer lives. Over the years, they’ve made incredible strides, neutering over 35,000 animals and providing shelter to hundreds more.

Their work is both proactive and reactive. Through their Castration Program, they neuter six animals each day, preventing the stray population from growing further. They also run a Temple Project, where they feed and care for around 600 dogs and cats living at the island’s temples, providing medical attention and vaccinations as needed. The foundation relies on donations and sponsorships to fund these efforts. You can visit their shelters in Ban Taling Ngam or Chaweng, where many animals are waiting to be rehomed. Every little bit helps, whether it's sponsoring a dog or cat or contributing to their ongoing medical care.

How can you help the Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation

If you want to make a difference in the lives of Koh Samui's dogs and cats, there are several ways to help:

• Sponsor a Dog or Cat: For as little as 25 Euro a month, you can sponsor an animal, helping cover their food, medical treatments, and other essentials. In return, you'll receive a certificate and updates about your sponsored pet. Just head to their website and check out the sponsorship opportunities.

• Donate: Every donation, big or small, helps keep the foundation running. They have donation boxes around the island, or you can donate directly through their website. With each donation, you're helping feed and care for hundreds of animals daily.

For more information or to donate, visit samuidog.org.

Samui Snake & Wildlife Rescue: Saving Animals, Educating People

That night’s snake rescue wasn’t the first, and it certainly won’t be the last, thanks to Koh Samui’s tropical environment. But when it comes to rescuing snakes and other wildlife on the island, Phil "The Snake Man" is the expert. Phil runs Samui Snake & Wildlife Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to capturing and releasing wild animals safely back into their natural habitat.

Phil’s work is vital for both the animals and the people of Koh Samui. Many locals fear snakes, and often, businesses are quick to want them removed—sometimes with little regard for their safety. Phil steps in to handle these situations carefully, educating people on the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes, and promoting the importance of conservation.

Phil’s passion for wildlife is truly inspiring, and despite the personal risks (he was hospitalized and barely survived a cobra bite in 2020), he continues his work to protect the island’s animals. You can support his mission by donating to the Samui Snake & Wildlife Rescue, or following his work on Facebook at @SamuiSnakeRescue.

How can you help the Snake & Wildlife Rescue Foundation

Phil’s work is vital for protecting both the wildlife and the community on Koh Samui, and he depends on donations to continue his rescue operations. Here’s how you can contribute:

• Donate: Every bit helps! You can donate directly to Phil through the following accounts:

- Siam Commercial Bank (Koh Samui, Thailand): 403-0390576

- PayPal: [email protected]

- Halifax Bank (UK): 00175699 | Sort Code: 110744

To follow Phil’s work and get updates on his rescues, visit his Facebook page: Samui Snake Rescue.

Conclusion

At Baan Suay Bantai, our commitment to Koh Samui goes beyond the experiences we offer our guests. It’s about supporting the community and its animals, and when you choose to stay with us, you’re not just enjoying a beautiful vacation—you’re also indirectly supporting the local community and its incredible animal welfare efforts.

But our effort don't come close to the vital work the Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation Samui and the Snake & Wildlife Rescue Foundation do! We hope our story encourages you to support these foundations, ensuring that Koh Samui remains a safe and welcoming place for all its visitors and inhabitants—whether they have legs, paws, feathers, or scales.

Whether it’s donating to the Dog & Cat Rescue Samui or helping fund Samui Snake & Wildlife Rescue, every contribution makes a difference in the lives of Koh Samui’s animals.

Also read our blog: The Ethical Dilemma of Elephant Tourism in Thailand: A Call for Change where we dive into Elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, and if you should visit one or not..