Bryde’s Whale Carcass Discovered Near Samae San Island

On August 17, 2026, local fishermen reported a large whale carcass stranded on rocks behind Samae San Island in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province. Following the report, a collaborative team—including the Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Region 2, the Royal Thai Navy, and veterinarians from the Eastern Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center—conducted an inspection on August 18.

According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the team identified the animal as an adult male Bryde’s whale measuring 10 meters in length. At the time of the initial discovery, the carcass was in a state of decomposition, making immediate identification difficult. The veterinary team has since collected tissue samples from the remains to undergo laboratory analysis. These samples are intended to help experts determine the precise cause of death, which currently remains unknown.

For residents and visitors in the Chon Buri area, this incident highlights the presence of these protected marine mammals in local waters. While the discovery is a somber event for marine conservationists, it does not currently impact tourism or access to the island. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and further updates regarding the cause of death will depend on the results of the ongoing tissue analysis.