A brave female snake catcher told how she has overcome sexism and now encourages other women to become reptile hunters.

Footage shows Ratha Prapeanthong, 45, fearlessly subduing a venomous king cobra and a large python with just her bare hands. She has been wrangling serpents for six years and is one of the women snake specialists in the country.

She said she began her career studying the types of snakes and how to handle them so that they don't get injured.

Despite her experience, Ratha admitted she still feels nervous when handling deadly snakes such as cobras.

She said: ‘I've never become used to cobras and their hissing when they behave aggressively. It takes me some time to gather my senses when I have to face them, but on the spot, what else can I do? I'm the only snake catcher around.'

Ratha added that she has sometimes met residents who have questioned her abilities and requested for a male snake wrangler instead, but that hasn't stopped her from doing her job.

Instead of being discouraged, she has encouraged other women to enter the profession, which is open to all genders.

Ratha said: 'The locals see my face and the first thing they say is 'oh it's a woman' and then they question my ability to catch snakes and ask me if I'm scared. They tell me to be careful

'They worry for me as they're afraid that the snake might bite me and ask me why didn't I bring a man.

‘There are so many brave women out there. They just don't know where to apply for this job or where to learn how to catch snakes.

‘In my experience, women have the potential to be great snake catchers just like men.

'Women can do it too. There are many brave women. Partly I think it's the small opportunity these women get to be around snakes.

'I want to provide an opportunity for women to try and show that they also have the ability of doing this task well, too.'


SUBTITLES:

2.20 Hello my name is Ratha Prapeanthong I am 45 years old, it all started when locals contacted me about a snake showing up on their property

2.29 The rescue volunteers who were experienced in snake-catching were not available and I happened to be near the scene so on that day I made up and mind and went over to help

2.39 The first time I tried catching snakes I had mixed emotions, I was scared and at the same time brave. It's been six years now. I did it when I just started volunteering

2.48 I was scared in the begging, I thought the snake might bite me and I could be in danger and I was also scared that the snake may get hurt

3.00 I studied how to catch snakes and made sure I do it correctly. I found out that my method could be hurting the snake so I educated myself and changed how I caught them

3.11 I'm not familiar with the cobra and the sound it makes. I remember being frightened whenever the cobra hissed and snapped, and those feelings affected my ability to catch snakes

3.26 But there was nobody there to help me so I did my best and did whatever I had to do to avoid being bitten

3.35 Both women and men can catch snakes. I've known men that are afraid of snakes and also many women that are afraid. As for me, I might look more rough than a regular woman but in my heart, I always knew I could do it

3.52 The locals see my face and the first thing they say is 'oh it's a woman' and then they question my ability to catch snakes and ask me if I'm scared. They tell me to be careful

4.00 They worry for me as they're afraid that the snake might bite me and ask me why didn't I bring a man

4.10 Women can do it too. There are many brave women. Partly I think it's the small opportunity these women get to be around snakes

4.24 I want to provide an opportunity for women to try and show that they also have the ability of doing this task well too