More Bryde’s whales found in Thai waters

11 October 2013. BANGKOK – The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has revealed that more Bryde’s whales can be spotted in Thai waters, given around 40 of them now inhabit the upper Gulf of Thailand.

Mr. Surasak Thongsukdee, a scholar at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, said the department began to study the Bryde’s whales 13 years ago, adding that around 40 Bryde’s whales are now residing in Thai waters and can easily be seen in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

According to him, the reason why more Bryde’s whales come into Thai waters is that they have a lot of anchovies, which the whales feed on, adding that the number of Bryde’s whales has a tendency to rise as they give birth to 3-4 calves a year. He also said it was possible that Thailand would call this species of whale local marine animals in future.

He also urged all tourists to be cautious and stick to the rules and guidelines when on a whale-spotting trip, adding that if the whales felt invaded, they could relocate and find another habitat.

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