PHANG NGA, THAILAND – A routine patrol in the Similan Islands National Park recorded a rare “super-pod” of more than 120 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins off Koh Tachai, highlighting what officials called a vibrant marine ecosystem and the need for stricter nature protection in tourism.
Routine patrol turns into rare encounter
According to the park administration, the encounter took place at 10 a.m. on 15 March, when a marine patrol was carrying out its usual inspection rounds in the national park. Near Koh Tachai, the team came across an exceptionally large concentration of dolphins, a formation of this size that had seldom been documented in Thai waters.
Park chief Sirivat Suebsai described the sighting as a “super-pod” and viewed it as a rare indication of how lively the marine ecosystem in the area remained. He also interpreted the event as a signal that stricter conservation measures should guide the region’s tourism activities.
What makes a super-pod special
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins typically moved in much smaller groups, often in pods of 10 to 20 animals. The fact that more than 100 individuals appeared together this time suggested, according to Suebsai, a high level of natural food sources and stable environmental conditions in the Similan archipelago.
The unusually large group size was therefore seen by park management as an important ecological indicator. It pointed to a marine habitat that still provided sufficient resources and space for larger aggregations of marine mammals.
Dolphins accompany patrol boat
Officials described the animals as measuring between 1 and 2.5 meters in length and spread out over a wide area at the surface. Several dolphins reportedly swam alongside the patrol boat, while others leapt out of the water and appeared strikingly playful.
The park crew recorded the moment as a special experience during their otherwise routine mission. The lively behavior of the dolphins was cited as evidence that the animals were not showing visible signs of stress during the brief encounter.
Conservation-focused tourism policy
The park chief placed the sighting in the context of the policy of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to orient tourism more strongly toward protection and consideration. According to the park administration, tools included limited visitor numbers, regulated boat routes and closer monitoring of rare marine species.
These measures were now becoming more visibly effective, the administration stated. The super-pod of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins was presented as one of the clearest examples to date of the benefits of stricter management in the national park.
Appeal to operators and visitors at sea
Park authorities urged tour operators and holidaymakers to follow international standards during encounters with marine mammals in order to avoid stress and injury. Recommended practices included slower driving, maintaining a steady course and keeping sufficient distance.
They also called for refraining from chasing or feeding animals, creating loud noise or attempting to enter the water to touch the dolphins.
“Tour operators and visitors should strictly follow international standards when they encounter marine mammals so as not to cause stress or injuries.”
said park authorities.