SPREADING information about jellyfish was made a priority by the Phuket Governor, Dr Preecha Ruangjan, today. Action will begin from next Monday.
Resorts, dive boats, tour boats and other businesses near the sea will be given guides to first aid.
The governor emphasised the need for speed and said he would fast-track funding and anything else that was required.
Tourists and residents needed to know how to identify the dangerous box jellyfish and distinguish it from other jellyfish, the governor told a meeting of concerned authorities.
The gathering at the Public Health Department was told that public safety was most important, especially as jellyfish of all kinds appeared to be more prominent in waters around Phuket this high season.
Research on the spread of the dangerous box jellyfish is also being fast-traced, said Dr Somchai Bussarawit, the chief of the museum and aquarium at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
Efforts to learn more about the box jellyfish, so it can be established where it is prevalent on Phuket and whether it expands territory in future, are likely to involve universities, the Navy, marine police, dive tour operators, diver networks, provincial and local administrations, beach hotels and resorts, state and private hospitals and fishing communities.
Students at Phuket's schools are also likely to be taught more about the potentially deadly creature.
About 2000 copies of the guide are being prepared.
It offers a straightforward instructions on the action required for marine stings in Australian waters, which also applies in Thailand even though the two species of box jellyfish found here are unique.
Concern has grown since the stinging death of a young Swedish tourist in the region in April and the discovery of box jellyfish in an east coast mangrove cove on Phuket.
Individual sightings and captures have also been made at Yacht Haven, to the island's north, and at the northerly end of Bang Tao beach.
Yuk! Jellyfish Plague Invades Patong Beach
Jellyfish Album Patong beach is enduring an invasion of jellyfish of an undetermined kind, alarming some visitors and raising concerns about tourism and the environment of Phuket.
Yuk! Jellyfish Plague Invades Patong Beach
Patong Jellyfish: Other Beaches Plagued
Nai Harn/Patong Photo Album Reports are coming in of other beaches under siege from jellyfish. As marine biologists determine the species, Phuketwan readers report other infestations.
Patong Jellyfish: Other Beaches Plagued
Box Jellyfish 'Found On Phuket's West Coast'
An Australian couple on a luxury yacht appear to have become the first people to identify the presence of dangerous box jellyfish on Phuket's popular west coast.
Box Jellyfish 'Found On Phuket's West Coast'
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: The Biggest Test Yet?
Photo Album 'Sun, surf, sand ... but deadly jellyfish cast shadow on Phuket.' Hong Kong readers learn about Phuket's biological crisis.
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: The Biggest Test Yet?
Phuket Box Jellyfish: Are We In Danger?
Photo Album Virtually every day now, box jellyfish are being found at a spot not far from Phuket City as marine biologists puzzle over their unexpected presence. Should we be alarmed?
Phuket Box Jellyfish: Are We In Danger?
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: Expert To Fly In, Seminar Too
More accurate information should become available about the dangerous box jellyfish discovered on Phuket's east coast after an expert flies in for further research.
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: Expert To Fly In, Seminar Too
Phuket Alert: Expert Guide to Jellyfish
The box jellyfish found in a Phuket bay have probably always been here, says an expert. She shatters some of the myths and offers hope for safety programs to prevent deaths and injuries.
Phuket Alert: Expert Guide to Jellyfish
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: No Cause For Panic
The Governor of Phuket hears a briefing on the Phuket box jellyfish alert and suggests continuing research, alerting people to the dangers and the treatment of stings, and avoiding panic
Phuket Box Jellyfish:'No Cause For Panic'
Phuket Box Jellyfish: Biologist Sounds Alert
Phuket's Marine Biological Centre has issued an alert over the presence of box jellyfish in waters off Krabi and Phuket. Scientists are continuing to try to define more clearly the dangers, without unnecessary alarm.
Phuket Box Jellyfish: Biologist Sounds Alert
Box Jellyfish Found Off Phuket: Death in Krabi
The death of a tourist off Krabi and the discovery of a non-fatal form of box jellyfish off Phuket bring a call for help - and a claim that many more deaths go unrecorded.
Box Jellyfish Found Off Phuket: Death in Krabi
Resorts, dive boats, tour boats and other businesses near the sea will be given guides to first aid.
The governor emphasised the need for speed and said he would fast-track funding and anything else that was required.
Tourists and residents needed to know how to identify the dangerous box jellyfish and distinguish it from other jellyfish, the governor told a meeting of concerned authorities.
The gathering at the Public Health Department was told that public safety was most important, especially as jellyfish of all kinds appeared to be more prominent in waters around Phuket this high season.
Research on the spread of the dangerous box jellyfish is also being fast-traced, said Dr Somchai Bussarawit, the chief of the museum and aquarium at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
Efforts to learn more about the box jellyfish, so it can be established where it is prevalent on Phuket and whether it expands territory in future, are likely to involve universities, the Navy, marine police, dive tour operators, diver networks, provincial and local administrations, beach hotels and resorts, state and private hospitals and fishing communities.
Students at Phuket's schools are also likely to be taught more about the potentially deadly creature.
About 2000 copies of the guide are being prepared.
It offers a straightforward instructions on the action required for marine stings in Australian waters, which also applies in Thailand even though the two species of box jellyfish found here are unique.
Concern has grown since the stinging death of a young Swedish tourist in the region in April and the discovery of box jellyfish in an east coast mangrove cove on Phuket.
Individual sightings and captures have also been made at Yacht Haven, to the island's north, and at the northerly end of Bang Tao beach.
Yuk! Jellyfish Plague Invades Patong Beach
Jellyfish Album Patong beach is enduring an invasion of jellyfish of an undetermined kind, alarming some visitors and raising concerns about tourism and the environment of Phuket.
Yuk! Jellyfish Plague Invades Patong Beach
Patong Jellyfish: Other Beaches Plagued
Nai Harn/Patong Photo Album Reports are coming in of other beaches under siege from jellyfish. As marine biologists determine the species, Phuketwan readers report other infestations.
Patong Jellyfish: Other Beaches Plagued
Box Jellyfish 'Found On Phuket's West Coast'
An Australian couple on a luxury yacht appear to have become the first people to identify the presence of dangerous box jellyfish on Phuket's popular west coast.
Box Jellyfish 'Found On Phuket's West Coast'
Jellyfish Photo Albums
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: The Biggest Test Yet?
Photo Album 'Sun, surf, sand ... but deadly jellyfish cast shadow on Phuket.' Hong Kong readers learn about Phuket's biological crisis.
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: The Biggest Test Yet?
Phuket Box Jellyfish: Are We In Danger?
Photo Album Virtually every day now, box jellyfish are being found at a spot not far from Phuket City as marine biologists puzzle over their unexpected presence. Should we be alarmed?
Phuket Box Jellyfish: Are We In Danger?
Essential Reading
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: Expert To Fly In, Seminar Too
More accurate information should become available about the dangerous box jellyfish discovered on Phuket's east coast after an expert flies in for further research.
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: Expert To Fly In, Seminar Too
Phuket Alert: Expert Guide to Jellyfish
The box jellyfish found in a Phuket bay have probably always been here, says an expert. She shatters some of the myths and offers hope for safety programs to prevent deaths and injuries.
Phuket Alert: Expert Guide to Jellyfish
Phuket Jellyfish Alert: No Cause For Panic
The Governor of Phuket hears a briefing on the Phuket box jellyfish alert and suggests continuing research, alerting people to the dangers and the treatment of stings, and avoiding panic
Phuket Box Jellyfish:'No Cause For Panic'
Phuket Box Jellyfish: Biologist Sounds Alert
Phuket's Marine Biological Centre has issued an alert over the presence of box jellyfish in waters off Krabi and Phuket. Scientists are continuing to try to define more clearly the dangers, without unnecessary alarm.
Phuket Box Jellyfish: Biologist Sounds Alert
Box Jellyfish Found Off Phuket: Death in Krabi
The death of a tourist off Krabi and the discovery of a non-fatal form of box jellyfish off Phuket bring a call for help - and a claim that many more deaths go unrecorded.
Box Jellyfish Found Off Phuket: Death in Krabi
