A popular snake charmer whose unique ability to kiss the heads of king cobras announced he would retire from show business before his luck runs out.
Thongkhum Chaibuddee, aka Thongchai Lukthongchai, aka the King of King Cobras, said that after almost 30 years, he would stop kissing snakes due to his old age and fear he will be killed or poisoned like many of his deceased colleagues.
The decision came as a surprise for many as the 62-year-old snake charmer; who has seduced serpents in Phuket, Bangkok, and at the King Cobra Village in Khon Kaen province; has been one of the most renowned snake charmers in Thailand since 1995.
Known as The King of King Cobras, he held two Guinness World Records – one from 2006 for kissing the most king cobras (19!) and another in 2010 for kissing king 34 cobras in three minutes in Rome. He also received a golden certificate on display…
