Authorities Investigate Marine Life Stranding at Karon Beach, Phuket

On November 12, 2026, Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, ordered an immediate investigation into reports of numerous starfish and salps—jellyfish-like organisms—washing up on Karon Beach in Phuket. Local reports indicated that these marine creatures were scattered across a stretch of at least one kilometer along the coastline. By the time officials arrived, many had already been carried back into the sea by the tides. Experts from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and the Upper Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center identified the starfish as Luidia maculata, commonly known as the sand star, measuring between 20 and 30 centimeters. Preliminary water quality tests conducted by the authorities returned normal results, leading officials to suspect that strong currents were responsible for pushing the organisms onto the shore. For travelers and residents, this event serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of coastal ecosystems. While the situation is being closely monitored, authorities are working to provide accurate information to the public to prevent unnecessary alarm. Further assessments are ongoing to ensure the continued health of the marine environment and to determine if any additional measures are required to protect local biodiversity.