KO HIN DAP, THAILAND – A rare sighting of a pair of Bryde’s whales near Ko Hin Dap in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park was regarded by experts as a key sign of ecological recovery in the Gulf of Thailand.
Rare whale encounter confirmed
On 20 January 2026, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) confirmed the appearance of two Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni) east of Ko Hin Dap. Footage showed the marine mammals surfacing and diving again in close proximity to tourist vessels. Visitors on board filmed the scene as the animals moved through the water at a calm pace.
Park officials described the encounter as an unusually close contact between the whales and the excursion boats, which nonetheless proceeded in an orderly manner. The sighting was reported as an exceptional event in an area where such whales had rarely been observed.
Sign of improving Gulf ecosystem
Marine biologists and national park managers assessed the whales’ appearance as an ecological milestone for the Gulf. The presence of these rare whales was seen by them as a kind of “natural certificate” for the condition of the marine area. According to expert assessments, the sighting indicated that the ecosystem in the Gulf had become rich enough again to sustain rare large whales on a lasting basis.
A DNP spokesperson said the animals were using the archipelago as a feeding ground:
“The fact that these whales have chosen the Ang Thong archipelago as a feeding site reflects the success of our protection efforts. It proves that the region is once again a rich and viable habitat for large marine animals.”
said the DNP spokesperson.
Authorities urge responsible tourism
Following the sighting, authorities issued an urgent appeal to the public and tour operators to safeguard the animals’ safety. The DNP called on visitors in the national park to keep sufficient distance from the whales and to refrain from any disturbing or intrusive behaviour. The agency also urged strict compliance with the park’s waste and disposal rules.
The authority stressed that public participation was crucial if encounters with these whales were to become a lasting feature of sustainable tourism in the region. At the same time, officials reminded visitors that disturbances or pollution could drive the animals away and endanger the conservation progress achieved so far.
Long-standing habitat for marine mammals
The waters in the Gulf had long been considered species-rich, but sightings of Bryde’s whales in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park had previously been rare. In recent years, occasional observations of large whales in the region had already attracted attention. With the current confirmation of a pair, experts saw their marine conservation efforts as vindicated.
At the same time, they felt increasingly obliged to enforce clear rules for boat traffic and waste management to secure the fragile habitat in the long term. The latest sighting was viewed as both encouragement and a warning to maintain strict protection measures in the Gulf of Thailand.
Nature’s signal of hope
Observers described the brief surfacing of the two whales as a powerful sign from the sea. For conservation officials, the encounter was more than a memorable moment for tourists and stood as quiet evidence that protection, restraint and patience could bring tangible change. The incident added urgency to ongoing debates over how Thailand’s seas should be treated in the future, and whether the latest sign from nature would be heeded in time.