Over 120 dolphins sighted near Similan Islands

2026-03-16 - 09:23

PHANG NGA — 16 March 2026, More than 120 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins have been spotted swimming near Koh Tachai in the Similan Islands National Park, in a rare display highlighting the area’s rich marine ecosystem. Sirivat Suebsai, head of the Similan Islands National Park, said the sighting occurred at 10:00 on 15 March while a marine patrol unit was conducting routine operations. Officers encountered an unusually large aggregation of the dolphins, known as a “super pod”, near Koh Tachai, a phenomenon rarely seen in Thai waters. Bottlenose dolphins are typically found in smaller groups of around 10 to 20 individuals. The presence of a pod exceeding 100 animals reflects a high level of ecological abundance in the waters around Koh Tachai and the wider Similan archipelago, Sirivat said. Officials at the scene reported that the dolphins, measuring about 1 to 2.5 metres in length, spread across the sea surface and displayed playful and friendly behaviour. Some swam alongside the patrol boat, while others leapt above the water, appearing to “welcome” the officers, creating a memorable moment for the team. Sirivat said the sighting aligns with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry’s policy to promote conservation-focused tourism that does not harm natural resources. Measures such as limiting visitor numbers, regulating boat routes and closely monitoring rare marine species are beginning to show clear results. The return of large numbers of rare marine animals demonstrates that responsible tourism can help restore natural ecosystems, he said. Park authorities have urged tour operators and visitors to follow international guidelines when encountering marine wildlife: reduce speed, maintain a steady and slow course, keep a safe distance, avoid driving through or chasing animal groups, and refrain from feeding, making loud noises or entering the water to touch the animals.