Blue bottle jellyfish, otherwise known as Portuguese men-of-war, have been spotted on Surat Thani’s Lamai Beach, Haad Rin and Koh Na Thian.
The blue bottle jellyfish can kill fish with its tentacles that range in length from 15 cm to 10 m. In humans, the sting causes an extremely painful rash, which doesn't subside for at least an hour. The skin irritation will only disappear in a couple of days.
Every year bluebottles flock to the shores of Southern Thailand. In 2018, four beaches in Phuket were closed because of a plague of venomous jellyfish.
Tourists are recommended to avoid swimming in potentially dangerous places. If you are stung, rinse the affected area with salt water and use a cold pack to relieve the pain. Don’t touch or scratch it. If the severe burning feeling does not go away within several minutes or the venom gets into your eyes, consult a doctor urgently. Never wash the sting with fresh water as it causes the tentacles to release more toxins.