A snake catcher was left in critical condition after being bitten by a cobra in Thailand.

Volunteer snake wrangler Suthee Naewhard, 40, was removing the venomous reptile from a relative's house when it bit him on the arm in Krabi province on December 24.

Despite his injury, Suthee carried on handling the creature barehanded. Footage shows him dragging it from the ceiling of the house and putting it inside a mesh sack.

But he began having breathing difficulties and collapsed soon after completing the work. He was rushed to Krabi Hospital as his arm swelled and blackened.

Doctors immediately administered anti-venom and cut away the necrotic tissue that had started to spread around the bite. They inserted a tracheal tube to help the struggling Suthee breathe.

The volunteer survived and spent both Christmas and New Year's Day recovering at the hospital.

Suthee, who is now recovering from the cobra bite, said: 'I never expected that I would have such a bad reaction to a bite. I will be out of work for a while until I am recovered.

'I'm not afraid for returning to work and catching snakes again. People need help to remove them from their homes. Now that I have survived such a severe bite, I have no fear of it happening again.'

Giving an update on the case on January 7, Dr Surat Tantitaweevorakul, director of Krabi Hospital, said: 'Currently, the patient's symptoms are better. The breathing tube can be removed and he can now breathe on his own.

'As for the wound on his right arm, it was inflamed and caused necrosis. The arm was treated by cutting off the dead tissue and disinfecting the injury. He is gradually getting better, but it may take some time.

'The patient can now walk by himself. The only problem left is continuing to treat the wound. It takes time to heal, but it is improving.

'I would like to warn the public that when approaching tree shelters or places with lots of trees, we have to be careful of venomous creatures, especially snakes. If you are bitten, please see a doctor immediately so you can receive treatment right away.'

Suthee was seen in photos flashing a wide smile despite the gruesome injury that withered his arm. He was discharged today, January 9, with a sling to support the affected limb.

His girlfriend said: 'Suthee was hospitalised for several days. The doctors said he was lucky the venom did not spread too far in his veins. He has been catching snakes for 17 years, but it's the first time he was injured this seriously. We would like to thank everyone who wished him well.'

Researchers found that 7,000 people are treated for snake bites each year in Thailand. Suchai Suteparuk from the Division of Toxicology at Chulalongkorn University reported that 30 of those die, with cobras being the biggest killer.