It going to be end, the invasion of Portuguese man o’ war “jellyfish” at Phuket beaches that happened over the weekend still, the lifeguards are keeping a watchful eye on the situation in order to ensure the safety of swimmers and beachcombers.

So far there is no reports regarding any pseudo-jellies since the weekend, as confirmed by Vitanya Chuayuan, publicity officer of the Phuket Lifeguard Club.

Nine specimens were sent to the Phuket Marine Biological Center at Cape Panwa for analysis. The specimens identified as Physalia physalis, also known as Portuguese man o’ war, bluebottles or mang kapoon fai (fire jellyfish) in Thai.

Dr Wannakiat said that Portuguese man o’ war at Phuket beaches was common in the early months of the monsoon season, from March to July. The relatively high number that washed ashore over the weekend was probably due to a combination of unusual monsoon-season currents and an abundant supply of small fish offshore, he said.

The numbers were sufficiently high that the PMBC issued a warning to local administrative bodies through Phuket Provincial Office, he said. The stinging structures of Portuguese man o’ war were still dangerous after they washed ashore. Anyone who suffers a sting is to treat it first with seawater and never to rub the wound, he added.

News by Phuket Gazette