They’re here! Box Jellyfish found in Phuket waters
PANWA: The Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) has issued an official warning following the collection of almost 40 box jellyfish in a trap in shallow waters off Ao Nambor, on Phuket’s east coast.
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The site of a sting should immediately be treated with vinegar to stop further injection of the toxin, the PMBC advises.
Do not rub or scratch the site of the sting or apply fresh water or alcohol to it, the PMBC advises.
Monday, October 27, 2008 (Source: Phuket Gazette)
The western Phuket beaches can have dangerous swimming condition during the southwest monsoon (May-October).
Even for experienced swimmers it can be dangerous.
NEVER SWIM WHEN THE RED FLAG IS UP
Phuket's Killer Beach Claims British Tourist
Information
Phukets western coast facing Andaman Sea has many beautiful beaches, with soft white sand, warm tropical and crystal clear water with up to 15 meters visibility. But not so clear in low season (May-October) due to strong waves.
How clear the water is in high season can vary from day to day and from beach to beach. Most beaches along the west coast has crystal clear water most of the time, especially the northern part of Phuket where there are less development. An exception is Patong Beach where only the northern part at times have clear water.
Phuket is a tropical island where the temperature is warm year round, with maximum tempurature between 28-35 degrees most days in high season. But it can slip to 20-25 degrees on very cold days. Then Thais will complain about the cold weather like it was minus 10 degrees.
Take care first days on the beach if you have white skin. I have seen to many sunburned tourists after their first day in the tropical sun.
Almost every beach has sun beds with umbrellas for rent. At many beaches you have to pay 100 baht for a sun bed and umbrella.
You can also drink beer on the beach without having to worry about police (in Norway it is not allowed to drink beer in public places).
Some beaches has water activities like jet ski, parasailing, windsurfing, waterski, bananaboat etc. And if you are tired after dancing all night why not try Thai massage on the beach.
Where there are people, food is available in Phuket. Same for the beach, you don't have to take food with you. It is almost impossible to starve in Thailand. Most beaches has at least one restaurant serving Thai and tourist food.
The most popular beaches have vendors that will try to sell you everything from cloths to fake tattoo. Everything they sell is overpriced.
Every beach in Thailand is open for public, but sometimes a luxuries resort has been build on the beach. You can still use the beach but not every hotel want you to go through their property, then you have to find another way.
There are many places in Phuket where you can go snorkeling. Some beaches has colorful fish swimming close to the beach. At others you have to swim a while to reach a good spot.
Others again have only rocks, while a few beaches has okay to very good coral reefs in shallow water.
The best place for snorkeling at Phuket in shallow water is as far as I know Kata Reef with water visibility between 1-15 meters. But for great snorkeling a trip to Phi Phi and Bamboo Island is recommended.
While I have not often seen jellyfish along the beaches in Phuket, you can still at occasions be stung by invisible things that some people think is small bits of jellyfish floating in the sea. I don't know if that's true but you can still swim if your skin is not too sensible.
Box Jellyfish found in Phuket waters, Monday, October 27, 2008
An article about box jellyfish in Thailand waters at phuket-post.com
The list to the right of the best beaches in Phuket is only a guide, the order in which they are listed will change and every people have their own favorite beach.
14 June 2010