Phuket and Nearby Islands Warned Over Unusually High Jellyfish Numbers

Tourists heading to Phuket and the surrounding islands are being warned about an unusually large number of jellyfish in coastal waters for late October, according to the regional office of Thailand's marine and coastal resources department, as reported by RIA Novosti.

The warning states that this year has seen considerably more jellyfish of various species in the waters around Phuket and neighbouring islands, including types dangerous to humans. The abundance is said to be typical of the final weeks of the rainy season.

Among the species identified is the box jellyfish, whose sting can be fatal. Holidaymakers were told not to rinse stings with fresh water, and that vinegar solution or aloe juice - both available from rescue workers - are better options.

Officials urged tourists to take care when swimming in the sea, and beach district administrations were strongly advised to boost the readiness of response services to help anyone stung by a jellyfish.

Earlier warnings to Russian travellers highlighted other unexpected travel hazards: in Thailand, 14 percent of insurance claims were linked to food poisoning, and another 12 percent to monkey and mosquito bites, jellyfish contact and poisonous fish.