10-10-2024 (BANGKOK) A peculiar phenomenon has unfolded along the picturesque Pranburi Beach in Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province, leaving both locals and tourists bewildered. The shoreline has been inundated with millions of mysterious, transparent, needle-like creatures, prompting authorities to advise beachgoers to exercise caution.
The unusual invasion, which began on Monday, has transformed a 5-kilometre stretch of coastline from Khao Kaloke to the mouth of the Pranburi River into a bizarre spectacle. Promsing Singhaseni, a volunteer with the Pranburi Environment Protection unit, reported that these enigmatic beings have not been witnessed in such numbers for decades, according to local fishermen.
Marine experts have tentatively identified the creatures as members of the Creseis species, a type of sea snail belonging to the Pteropod order. These delicate, translucent organisms have sparked curiosity and concern among beachgoers and environmental observers alike.
A kiteboarder, known as Noey Varinya, shared footage on social media depicting herself and fellow enthusiasts meticulously removing the creatures from their wetsuits after emerging from the water. Her post served as a warning to others, highlighting that these needle-like beings were not confined to the shore but were also floating freely in the sea.
Atthawut Trinai, a kiteboarding instructor familiar with the area, urged parents to keep children away from the water until the invasion subsides. He expressed concern about the potential for these sharp-edged creatures to pierce the skin, emphasising the need for caution.
This is not the first time such an event has occurred in the region. Marine experts recall a similar incident in 2021 when these peculiar creatures appeared en masse at Ban Krut, another beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The recurrence of this phenomenon has piqued scientific interest, with researchers keen to understand the driving factors behind these sudden population explosions.
