Overview
- Recent reports cite box jellyfish at Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, where near-transparent bodies and long tentacles make them hard to spot.
- The Portuguese man o’ war is also being flagged in Thai waters, a colonial organism whose stings can cause intense pain.
- Authorities and resorts have posted beach warnings, set nets in some bays and marked buoyed swim zones, urging swimmers to follow lifeguard guidance and skip night or post-storm swims.
- First aid advice instructs keeping the person calm, avoiding freshwater or rubbing, pouring vinegar on stings for at least 30 seconds, then removing any tentacles with tools.
- Severe pain, breathing problems, chest symptoms or loss of consciousness warrant immediate medical help via Thailand’s 1669 number, with extra caution urged for people with allergies or heart or circulatory issues.