Royal Thai Navy officials said the invasion of the dangerous, but not usually deadly, “moon jellyfish” pushed fishermen out of shallow waters and beachgoers out of the surf. Most of the stinging scyphozoans have been spotted in Tuay-gnarm Bay and Dongtan Bay.
Soi Yenrudee resident Somchai Chijprajong, 45, said he and other local fishermen pulled as many as 400,000 jellies out of the sea with their nets. He said he’s never seen so many and said it must have been caused by anomalous sea conditions.
Somchai didn’t escape his close encounter unscathed, however. Like other fishermen, he suffered a number of stings, which he and Navy officials said can be treated by crushing and applying wild Morning Glory cultivated by the Navy on area beaches. Scuba divers, many of whom could find their next dives in Samae San a painful experience, generally treat jellyfish stings with vinegar and hot water. Read More