A Thai man was bitten by a centipede and almost died.Thailand has these huge centipedes... averaging about 6 or 7 inches in length, and they are most definitely dangerous. However, the question of how deadly they are seems to be a point of debate (as can be seen here at this ThaiVisa.com thread).
As best as I can surmise from reading up on these insects, normally healthy adults who are not otherwise allergic have very little chance of dying from a centipede bite, but apparently will be very pained for 2 or 3 days. Children and the elderly are much more suscepticle to the bugs, and they have a much higher chance of death.
It would seem that a hypersensitivity to the venom in certain people is the probable cause of death in healthy adults, similar to an allergy to bee stings.
All in all, I would summarize that the Thai centipede is on the same level as that of an American scorpion. I think the salient point is, it's just best not to find out.
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