Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute

Bangkok

LoginSave

Founded in 1923, Asia's oldest snake farm gathers antivenom by milking snakes, injecting it into horses, and then harvesting and purifying the antigens the equines produce. Milking sessions (11am Monday to Friday) and snake-handling performances (2.30pm Monday to Friday and 11am weekends) are held at the outdoor amphitheatre. The latter is quite a spectacle – picture a 3m king cobra furiously lashing at a handler as he deftly demonstrates his handling capabilities. Leave a donation for the snakes at the office.

The compound houses several varieties of snakes in glass/metal cages, mostly pythons of varying sizes.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Female Visiting the Cloister with Large Group of Seated Buddha Images in Wat Pho or Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Bangkok Old City, Thailand, ( Self Portrait )

    Wat Pho

    2.82 MILES

    Wat Pho is our absolute favorite among Bangkok's biggest sights. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives: the city's largest reclining…

  • Grand palace, Wat pra kaew with blue sky, bangkok, Thailand

    Grand Palace

    3.03 MILES

    The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maharatchawang) is a former royal residence in Bangkok that was consecrated in 1782. Today, it’s only used on ceremonial…

  • Wat Arun temple in Bangkok during sunset.

    Wat Arun

    3.04 MILES

    Wat Arun is the missile-shaped temple that rises from the Chao Phraya River's banks. Known as Temple of Dawn, it was named after the Indian god of dawn,…

  • Wat Phra Kaew Bangkok Thailand

    Wat Phra Kaew

    3 MILES

    Architecturally fantastic, the Wat Phra Kaew temple complex is also the spiritual core of Thai Buddhism and the monarchy, symbolically united in what is…

  • Swan boats, Lumphini Park, Bangkok, Thailand

    Lumphini Park

    0.61 MILES

    Named after the Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal (Lumbini), Lumphini Park is central Bangkok’s largest and most popular park. Its 58 hectares are home to an…

  • Wat Saket, The Golden Mount Temple, Bangkok, Thailand.

    Golden Mount

    2.28 MILES

    Even if you're wát-ed out, you should tackle the brisk ascent to the Golden Mount. Serpentine steps wind through an artificial hill shaded by gnarled…

  • Jim Thompson's House in Bangkok Thailand

    Jim Thompson House

    1.17 MILES

    This jungly compound is the former home of the eponymous American silk entrepreneur and art collector. Born in Delaware in 1906, Thompson briefly served…

  • Baskets for Sale at Chatuchak Market

    Chatuchak Weekend Market

    4.77 MILES

    Among the largest open-air markets in the world, Chatuchak (also referred to as 'Jatujak' or simply 'JJ Market') seems to unite everything buyable, from…

View more attractions

Nearby Bangkok attractions

1. Chulalongkorn University

0.33 MILES

Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious university is nestled in a leafy enclave south of busy Rama I.

2. Rama VI Statue

0.38 MILES

This statue at the southwestern entrance of Lumphini commemorates the founding emperor of the park, Rama VI.

3. Chamchuri Art Gallery

0.58 MILES

This gallery, part of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Arts, emphasises modern spiritual themes and brilliantly coloured abstracts from emerging…

4. Lumphini Park

0.61 MILES

Named after the Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal (Lumbini), Lumphini Park is central Bangkok’s largest and most popular park. Its 58 hectares are home to an…

5. Neilson Hays Library

0.7 MILES

The oldest English-language library in Thailand, Neilson Hays dates back to 1869, and today remains the city’s noblest place for a read – with the added…

6. SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon

0.73 MILES

Offering an unparalleled 360-degree view of Bangkok's cityscape, this two-tiered viewpoint is perched atop King Power Mahanakhon, currently Thailand’s…

7. Tang Contemporary Art

0.81 MILES

Bangkok’s primary venue for modern artists from China has edged its way to become one of the city’s top contemporary galleries. Check the website to see…

8. Chinese Style Clock Tower

0.84 MILES

This Chinese-style clock tower located in the southeastern corner of Lumphini doubles as an interesting photographic subject amidst the park's greenery.