Suchart Orders Close Monitoring of Bryde's Whales
Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin urges strict monitoring of Bryde's whales in the upper Gulf of Thailand following an 11.20-meter stranded carcass discovery.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin ordered strict monitoring of Bryde's whales in the upper Gulf.
- A stranded male sub-adult Bryde's whale measuring 11.20 meters was found between Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi.
- Veterinary autopsy revealed a remarkably healthy body condition with 6.5 cm thick blubber.
- Authorities urged the public and boat operators to reduce vessel speed to prevent accidents.
Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has stepped up marine conservation efforts under Minister Suchart Chomklin, who issued a direct order for the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to closely monitor the population of Bryde's whales in the upper Gulf of Thailand following a recent marine animal stranding incident.
The incident came to light on November 5, 2026, after local resident Jamroon Phongpitak reported finding a large whale carcass washed ashore in open waters along the provincial boundary connecting Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi provinces, prompting an immediate response from local authorities.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Between November 6 and 7, 2026, marine biologists from the Upper Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center teamed up with the Phuket-adjacent Marine and Coastal Resources Office No. 3 in Phetchaburi, Laem Phak Bia Subdistrict Administrative Organization, the Upper Gulf Conservation Network, and local volunteers to conduct a thorough necropsy.
Examination by veterinary experts identified the specimen as a male sub-adult Bryde's whale (scientifically known as Balaenoptera edeni) with a total body length of 11.20 meters. Although the carcass exhibited signs of decomposition and skin slippage, the internal examination confirmed that the animal had been in excellent physical condition prior to death, featuring a subcutaneous blubber layer measuring 6.5 centimeters thick.
Bryde's whales serve as a vital bioindicator of ecosystem health in the upper Gulf of Thailand. Losing an individual from the sub-adult cohort directly impacts the natural reproductive rate of this localized population. Implementing strict vessel speed limits is therefore a crucial interim measure to mitigate fatal ship strike risks.
In response to the finding, Minister Suchart has appealed directly to citizens and commercial boat operators traversing the area to exercise extreme caution and reduce vessel speeds, aiming to safeguard remaining marine wildlife from preventable human-induced hazards.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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