A plankton bloom has reached the shores of Cha-am and Hua Hin following major flooding, a marine scientist at Kasetsart University has warned, calling for urgent action to address the problem.
Assistant Professor Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a lecturer in marine science and deputy dean for special affairs at the university’s Faculty of Fisheries, described his observations in a Facebook post on Thursday, 8 October.
He said satellite images and oceanographic data had indicated that a bloom was moving towards the two towns along the western side of the inner Gulf of Thailand. He travelled to the area to observe it and found conditions worse than expected.
“The water had clearly changed colour, and the bloom had reached the shoreline,” he wrote.
Dr Thon reported both green and brown blooms, but said further sampling was needed to confirm the plankton species involved.
Concern over tourism and recurring plankton blooms
Dr Thon said coastal areas from Pattaya to Cha-am and Hua Hin were being affected. Blooms in the inner Gulf of Thailand now occur three times as frequently as in the past, he said, although his post did not specify the comparison period.
He warned that continued deterioration could damage tourism, with overseas visitors sharing accounts of discoloured seawater and unpleasant smells.
Describing the water as “matcha-coloured”, he urged action to prevent the problem from spreading across the gulf.
“I want to emphasise that plankton blooms are one of the most urgent issues facing Thailand’s seas,” he wrote. “Flooding does not end simply because the water has been drained into the sea.”
Images: Thon Thamrongnawasawat