Jampen Phompakdi told reporters the whale shark was beside his boat for long enough for him to be able to snap a picture of it. He continued by saying that after he took the picture the creature then dived to subterranean depths.
After viewing the photographs, marine specialists said it looked like the whale shark was fully grown and about six metres long. They said it could weigh up to one ton.
Mr Phompakdi noted that fishermen had spotted several of the species in the same general area in the seas off Koh Hong Island the previous weekend. He finished off by saying that whale sharks sometimes made their way into Phang Nga Bay in December.
Divers taking dive-trips to offshore islands in the Thai Andaman Sea region are often treated to the sight of whale sharks. The species is known for its friendliness and natural curiosity and they do not shy away when boats approach.
Koh Hong is a part of Krabi’s Than Bok Khorani National Park. Whale sharks are a protected species under Thailand’s 1992 Wild Animal Protection Act. 12GO ASIA offers convenience when buying travel tickets from Bangkok, or other key Thai locations, to Krabi.
Whale sharks sighted swimming in Phang Nga Bay
News in Asia
Fishermen and national park marine officers have reported seeing whale sharks swimming in the waters of Phang Nga Bay over the past two weeks. One park ranger said one of the huge sea creatures swam beside his boat for several minutes on Friday while he was close to the shores of Krabi.