How Safe Is Samui? - March 2024 Update Including Koh Phangan

box jellyfish sting koh samui thailand


So, how safe is Koh Samui? There's been plenty of confusion and panic. Is it OK to swim? How many of these 'killer jellyfish' are there? Where are they? What do they look like? How big is the risk? What do I do if I get stung? Here is the original guide, followed by a March 2024 update. The risk remains.
The local authorities, if this is accurate, report of 12 box jellyfish stings around Koh Samui for the year up to October, 2015 including the death of a 20-year old German woman. These stings have occurred at Chaweng, Lamai, Mae Nam, Lipa Noi and on Ang Thong island. Nearby Koh Phangan also reports stings including two fatalities in the past 12 months. 

While there is of course a problem and ignoring signs is plain stupid, there is no need to panic. Be vigilant, ask questions, use common sense, take precautions and heed the warning signs (unlike the couple in the photo below putting themselves at serious risk the day after a death at this beach - if it had been a shark attack fatality and the sign said 'Killer Shark. Very Dangerous' they'd be having that drink in the pool). Also note that day or night, there is always a risk. 


Koh Samui box jellyfish sign Thailand

Somewhere in the figure of 500,000 visit Koh Samui every year. The equation could be simplified guessing that if half enter the sea for a swim or snorkel then the risk, based on 12 stings this year, would be around 1 in 15,000. Being killed by a jellyfish? 1 in 180,000. This is not to trivialise the problem as the truth is, that '1' could be you!

We take proper precautions (or should) when riding a motor bike, walking across the street, using a power tool, jumping out of a plane, whatever. So to not be that '1' we wear a helmet and follow the rules, look to the left-right and make sure the road is clear, use protective eyewear and gloves, wear a parachute! Accidents will happen but taking the right precautions will minimise the risk. 


Further Reading: 

The same goes with the threat of being stung by a box jellyfish. If you wear a protective lycra suit when entering the water your chances of being stung are almost nothing. Just about every marine biologist entering tropical seas wears a suit because they know better; they choose life, not a tan. Get the suntan on the sand, wear a suit in the sea. There's plenty of info on this blog about suits. 
Further Reading: 

Carry a cheap bottle of vinegar in your beach bag. If there is a sting, immediately splash the sting area with vinegar. Do not try and remove the tentacles - don't touch them. Use CPR if the victim requires it. After around 30 seconds of splashing vinegar, the tentacle's stinging cells will be de-activated and you can remove them with seawater. Immediately seek medical assistance. 
Further Reading: 


The venom of some species of box jellyfish can be lethal and can kill in minutes. The Chironex box jellyfish - or Sea Wasp - is widely regarded as the deadliest animal on the planet. Box jellyfish live in tropical seas throughout South-East Asia and Australia and other parts of the world including Hawaii, The Caribbean, Pacific Islands, Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. Stings including deaths have been reported in numerous places in Thailand from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea. While Koh Samui is now the focus, the risk is no less great at many other beaches across the country.

Unfortunately, little is known about exactly where box jellyfish are in Thailand or if there is a season where they are more common. Research is minimal. No-one knows for certain about what species of box jellyfish is causing the damage. It is a big one. It has multiple tentacles, is highly toxic and is possibly related to Australia's notorious Chironex Fleckeri. 


[Postscript 2017: scientific research has increased in the area and it is now known that a deadly species of Chironex box jellyfish that is native to Thailand lives in Samui waters and is responsible for serious and fatal stings. Chironex indrasaksajiae Sucharitakul sp..


So whether it is Chaweng or Lamai beach or anywhere else along the Samui coast, it seems there is box jellyfish habitat. How many are there? No-one knows. What is known is that box jellyfish can swim (not float) at a speed of around 3 knots. They are brainless but have a visual system of navigation (eyes with retinas, lenses, corneas) that guide them past obstacles such as rocks, nets and slow-moving human legs. They are almost completely transparent so very difficult to see in the water even if it is clear. They hunt for small fish and shrimp in very shallow, sandy-bottom water close to the shore. The media often refers to a jellyfish 'attack' but all human stings are accidental. It is unsuspecting people making contact with the jellyfish, not vica-versa. 


Further Reading: 



Koh Samui box jellyfish sting Thailand

So is it safe to swim at Koh Samui - or for that matter in other coastal areas of Thailand. The answer is not a simple yes or no. The risk remains no different now than what it was 6 months or 6 years ago. Thousands of happy holiday makers have come and gone leaving with nothing worse than sunburn. 
If a sign warning of 'Dangerous Jellyfish' is at one beach and not another, does this mean the beach with no sign is safer? No. The sign just tells us what we already know. Somewhere out there are box jellyfish. The temporarily signed beach might have had a recent sting and common sense would say 'stay out of the water' for at least a day or two.   

What is needed is a permanent plan to inform visitors and minimize the risk. Would the German woman killed this week have chosen to swim at night had she been better informed about the risk? And the Koh Phangan deaths - would the Thai woman have done the same, or would the parents of the 5-year old boy let him play in the shallows without a protective suit if they had known? It's hypothetical but at least they would have been better positioned to make a decision. 

Permanent warning and information signs plus vinegar stations strategically placed around the island are the frontline of defence against further pain and tragedy. It works in Australia. Waiting for the storm to blow over and continue as normal until the next serious sting does not. It has not worked and will not work. There are other islands and beaches in Thailand that have implemented box jellyfish safety systems - Phuket, Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Lipe - and their tourist numbers have not gone down. People still enjoy spending time in the sea. They are informed, make a choice and have vinegar right there on the beach just in case. There are reports of success and lives being saved. 


Further Reading:


Koh Samui is at a crossroads. The path forward for this popular resort island is written large on the signs that have been posted with every box jellyfish sting experienced over many years. The local tourism and hospitality operators and the island's authorities have for too long gone in the wrong direction; ignoring expert advice, dismissing damning statistics, failing in their duty of care and hoping the problem would just go away. Well, it hasn't and it won't. Box jellyfish are here to stay and the time to do something about it is now.

Subsequent Safety Progress:

UPDATE MARCH, 2024: 

Several reports of extremely serious and traumatic stings around Koh Samui and Koh Phangan during the latter quarter of 2023. Hospitalisation required with morphine administered for pain relief and treatment will be ongoing to avoid the high risk of infection and serious scarring. See the comments section for an example.

Same applies in September 2023. There is no shortage of box jellyfish around Samui, tourist numbers are growing and stings are occurring. A reader recently commented here about their scary and painful experience. The problem's not going away, please take the proper precautions.   

There is no let-up in box jellyfish activity occurring in the area with reports of stings over June - August 2023. Remain vigilant and take precautions. 

Official reports continue from late-2022 through early-2023 of multi-tenticle box jellyfish stings requiring treatment. People are swimming outside designated netted areas and being stung. There are no reports of stings to people positioned within prevention net confines.

Box jellyfish warnings are in place for Kohs Samui and Phangan for October 2022. The alert has been raised after a consistent number of stings, some serious with hospitalisation and a ventilator involved, were reported on both islands. The rainy/monsoon season is not abating soon and box jellyfish are expected to remain in local shallow waters for a longer period than usual. Please pay attention to signage and take preventative measures to lower the risk.


PLEASE NOTE if you or someone gets a sting:

1. CALL FOR HELP - get someone else to contact the hospital or doctor or ambulance service

2. TREAT THE VICTIM - use CPR if needed to keep the victim alive if not breathing and/or no pulse


3. TREAT THE STING - apply vinegar by pouring on sting area for 30-60 seconds


4. TRANSPORT - get the victim to hospital or the doctor as soon as possible

June, July and August 2022 saw a concerning number of stings, hospitalisations and genuine reports of sightings around the island including a serious sting outside the Lamai Beach net. A boy on Koh Phangan recently died doing just that and the risk can not be understated. Please, follow the warning signs and swim within the net or wear a lycra stinger suit to avoid a potentially nasty box jellyfish confrontation.

April 2022 saw several reports of box jellyfish stings requiring treatment and in some cases hospitalisation on Koh Samui. Stings were also reported on Koh Lanta and Koh Mak prompting authorities to issue warnings. They have expressed concerns about an increase in sightings and stings across Thailand in recent months.

A nine-year old Israeli boy has died receiving a fatal box jellyfish sting on Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday 28 August, 2021. Read Further Details

The most recent reports of multi-tentacle box jellyfish stings causing injury for July were in the Crystal Bay and Chaweng Noi areas. Over the next few months there is an expected increase in box jellyfish numbers around Koh Samui and neighbouring islands.

In March/April/May 2021 stings occurred at Taling Ngam Beach, Nathon and the west coast of Samui. Also, near Koh Samui Hospital.

Two people were stung at Bangrak Beach in February, 2021. 

Box jellyfish stings have been reported on Koh Samui in December, 2020.

Local authorities issued a warning at the beginning of the 'epidemic season' (July - October 2020) that has historically seen a dramatic increase in box jellyfish sightings and stings the area. Stings and sightings at Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui were reported in that period.

Novel coronavirus lockdown and restrictions have had well-documented serious travel and tourism implications around the world and Koh Samui is no different.

A box jellyfish information seminar was held at Haad Salad, Koh Phangan on 30 August, 2020 where attendees were reminded of the dangers and risks and proper prevention and treatment processes by local dive expert and box jellyfish safety advocate, Camille Lemmens. 

Latest Links:

There were a number of serious stings with CPR involved at Chaweng mid-November 2019. All victims which included children were admitted to hospital. One of the young victims received terrible stings and was lucky to survive. He was air-lifted to Bangkok in an induced coma. Koh Phangan also in this period reported stings.

LINK November 2019 Koh Samui Stings 

Thai media reported on 30 October, 2019 that a 10-year old Russian male was stung by a box jellyfish in the morning while swimming at Lamai beach. The boy was immediately attended to by the emergency rescue team and rushed to hospital where he was treated and kept in for observation overnight. 



Koh Samui box jellyfish sting Thailand


The Vice President of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, Krissana Pornhonkoh, was quoted as saying that from July to October box jellyfish are "especially rampant" with 8 box jellyfish stings having been reported so far this year (2019), lower than previous years, and no fatalities.

Koh Samui box jellyfish Thailand
Highly venomous box jellyfish collected in the Lamai beach area July 2018

Official Koh Phangan Warning - September 2018:


INCASE OF AN EMERGENCY CALL 1669# (Jellyfish stings on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan only).

At the time of this update there have been no recently reported deaths in this corner of the Gulf of Thailand though there have been reports of box jellyfish sightings, specimen collections and stings requiring hospitalisationSadly, there there was a fatality on the east side of the Gulf in July 2020. Deadly box jellyfish are present and the risk remains real. 

In mid-2017, two stinger prevention nets were installed at Koh Samui. One is located at Lamai Beach and the second was installed at Chaweng Beach. At 100m long and 7 metres deep, these nets have been tested by local authorities and are believed to be safe. Unfortunately though, the net at Chaweng has been permanently removed. This is an initiative of Thailand's Marine & Coastal Resources Department (in conjunction with the Koh Samui Municipality and Koh Samui Tourism Association) who have been monitoring the nets' effectiveness. Please observe warning and information signs. 

NOTE: Having been removed for maintenance, the net at Lamai was re-installed on 4 July 2019 for what local authorities believe is a 6-month box jellyfish 'epidemic season'. Stings have however already been reported starting July 2019.

Further Reading:


Staff of Thailand's Marine & Coastal Resources Department conduct regular (not sure how regular) sweeps with nets in the shallows of certain popular Samui beaches. Wearing full body lycra stinger suits and rubber gloves as protection, they continue to catch the lethal Chironex-type box jellyfish. 

Koh Phangan has experienced severe box jellyfish stings including deaths in recent years. The deadly Chironex species are still being caught during collections by marine biologists and support staff at various locations around the island. Authorities and volunteer locals have responded to this situation and warning signs, vinegar poles with first aid instructions plus vinegar stocked SLS stations are scattered around the island. Many locals have been trained by Thai Health Department & marine services staff. A huge prevention net is located at Haad Rin beach. Note that the vinegar may be coloured with food dye to try and deter idiots from stealing it! 


An official warning was issued September 2018 by the Governor of Surat Thani to avoid swimming at Chalok Lam Bay, Koh Phangan after a large number of box jellyfish sightings. 


NOTE: Having been removed for maintenance, the net at Haad Rin was re-installed on 4 July 2019 for what local authorities believe is a 6-month box jellyfish 'epidemic season'.


Koh Samui box jellyfish sting Thailand
Box jellyfish sting Lamai 10 August 2018 - Source Thaivisa

Koh Samui box jellyfish sting Thailand
Box jellyfish sting Lamai 10 August 2018 - Source Thaivisa

PLEASE NOTE if you or someone gets a sting:

1. CALL FOR HELP - get someone else to contact the hospital or doctor or ambulance service

2. TREAT THE VICTIM - use CPR if needed to keep the victim alive if not breathing and/or no pulse


3. TREAT THE STING - apply vinegar by pouring on sting area for 30-60 seconds


4. TRANSPORT - get the victim to hospital or the doctor as soon as possible


Further Reading:


Camille Lemmens is a diving instructor and long-time resident of Koh Samui. He is a strong advocate for water safety in Thailand and is actively working with the local community and authorities to improve box jellyfish awareness and safety. Check out Camille's Samui Info Blog to get the latest on Box Jellyfish activities including Prevention and Treatment Seminars during 2017.

Further Reading:

Comments

  1. During what season of the year is the box jellyfish most active?

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  2. There is no evidence or research to say what season box jellyfish are more active in Thailand. Stings have occurred throughout the year. Some say that jellyfish in general are more prevalent in the Thai rainy season. The season's for box jellyfish are well-defined in Australia but it doesn't seem to be that clear-cut in Thailand. There is very little money for scientific research of this kind in Thailand - most of the money for box jellyfish goes towards safety. Yes the two are associated but first thing's first as far as the government is concerned - protect people, protect their valuable tourism industry. I guess if the problem continues, which it will, the government will be forced to eventually undertake some meaningful research. In the meantime, presume that this is a year-round risk.

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  3. No need to spend money for research. Just ask people who are in or at the sea every day. Surfers, kitesurfers, fishermen, boat captains, tourguides and the like. You will find out, that jellies occur more often at places where rivers enter (and bring wastewater) into the sea. Also rain brings wastewater. Between the monsoon seasons, when the surface layers of the sea seems to move less because it is usually wind less, you will have a higher chance to encounter them. Someone has yet to show me a box jellyfish which was floating around samui waters. From my observation The red brown ones are those which hurt people.these are clearly visible compared to box jf.....

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    Replies
    1. Consulting involved locals is an important part of research and is ongoing. Undertaking scientific research is essential in fully understanding the issue and providing Thailand with the expertise to effectively deal with their dangerous jellyfish and minimise the risk for all water users. There may well be a large number of red brown jellyfish but there are box jellyfish in Samui waters as evidenced by sting events and specimens.

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  4. August 2017 i 've been in Samui - Lamai Beach, and me and other russian girl have touch jelly fish with big burns... vinegar and 1 hour in osservation to Bangkok hospital, now i'm adsuming courtison care

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    1. Sorry to hear Matteo, hope you're both feeling better. Glad to read that you applied the correct treatment. If you have any photos of your stings (or further details) you can send to the email address in our profile, and perhaps the jellyfish can be identified - it may or may not have been a box jellyfish. Thanks.

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    2. One net is installed in front of Ozo hotel in chaweng beach. Bye

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    3. OK thanks. So it seems one net is at Lamai and there's also one at Chaweng.

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    4. Yes there are nets but most tourists do not even know why. Most are not aware. Unlike in Australia, in Asia they try to downplay this issue.

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  5. Thank u for this very informative and straight forsard blogg. I planned to go a couple of days to Koh Mak in end november this year (2017) and wrote emails to several Resort owners asking about the Box Jellyfish situation in general and specifically at their beach. The answer? Scilence. No one ansvered my questions. At the same time I could read on different bloggs about people beeing stung ... May I tell u that I cancelled my stay ... I will stay at Koh Chang instead that had no reported stings. I also checked with people there who confirmes: No Box jellyfish attacks on Koh Chang. So make your choice. Be safe OK.

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  6. What is the latest situation on Samui with the jellyfish nets? Are they still in place on Chaweng? Have more been set up? It's difficult to find recent information on this. Anyone know? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. I believe the nets remain in place but no further nets have been installed.

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  7. Hi. What is the latest update on Samui regarding jellyfish incidents? Have more nets been put up on Chaweng beach? Have there been any more attacks recently? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

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    1. I've not been made aware of any recent jellyfish stings on Koh Samui, though it is possible. The period of more frequent reported stings is now here - July to October. And just to clarify, box jellyfish don't attack, as in there's no premeditated action. Victims inadvertently swim or walk into their space and become tangled in their tentacles.

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  8. Problem is, are the nets being monitored or just left to rot away?

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    1. The good news is that these nets are being monitored. Unlike other nets at other locations across Thailand and Malaysia that are fishing nets more likely to keep out jet skis rather than jellyfish, these nets are designed specifically to prevent jellyfish entry and are maintained by a team of trained locals and officials. These nets are a prototype whose effectiveness is being monitored with a view to a broader rollout at other jellyfish hotspots. Having said that, this is new to Thailand and there are no guarantees, exercise caution.

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  9. How many stings occurred after net installed?

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    1. I don't have access to that data. I've not heard about any stings occurring inside the confines of the nets, though do not know this for certain. Considering the effort that has gone into the nets' design, implementation, maintenance and monitoring, I would expect it is less risky inside the nets than outside. But unfortunately this is all I know.

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  10. How many stings after net installed?

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  11. Hi! I was 2 weeks at Chaweng this end of August 2018 and there was not net anymore at Ozo.

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  12. The net at Haad rin sunrise beach on Koh Phangan is also gone.. Is this also supposed to be off-season?

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    1. As far as understood, yes. The combined approach by the Thais to both Samui and Phangan have deemed this a lower risk period, although the risk remains. Hopefully all nets will be re-installed. Thanks!

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  13. Hi, would you say it is safe do go into the sea with a lycra suit and bathing shoes?

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    1. Yes, a full-length lycra suit will 100% protect covered parts, tight bathing shoes same, from all jellyfish stings. Worth noting that many if not most box jellyfish stings occur in the shallows putting kids most at risk of stings to the legs, torso and arms. Obviously no need for all of this when bathing within a prevention net.

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  14. We are going to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan on August. I read Lamai Beach has a net but couldn’t find any updated info about Koh Phangan. Could you advise? I am traveling with kids 😓

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    1. To my knowledge there is a net at Haad Rin beach. Kids unlike more self/fashion-conscious adults are usually okay with wearing a stinger suit, or long arms/legs rashies. It provides full protection against all jellyfish and UV. Also, have a cheap bottle of vinegar handy to splash on a sting in the unlikely event of an incident. Enjoy!

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  15. I got stung three weeks ago (July 2023) by a box jelly fish in Koh Samui Chaweng beach and I have been at ER for two nights. Fortunately my body responded well and I didn’t have any allergic reaction. The pain has been excruciating, and I have scars all over my leg and arm. Fortunately the hotel personnel reacted immediately pouring vinegar and bringing me to hospital. However, what surprised me is the lack of awareness and communication by the resorts, as well as lack of protection (eg protective nets in the water). I certainly could have died. Interestingly, in the morning I have seen a jelly fish in the water, however, as I was not familiar with the dangerousness of box jelly fish, I did not inform anyone. Talking also with the locals and hospital personnel i understand these accidents are actually not so rare. Hence, I am not sure the numbers of cases are correctly reported. What can be done further to raise awareness among tourists? I understand that locals don’t want to create too much panic around the topic for obvious implications on tourism, however at the same time there is clearly life at risk. I’m curious on your thoughts on that. Thanks

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  16. To 'Anonymous' August 23, 2023. Very late reply and sorry for both that but more so your terrible experience. You are right. These incidences are not so rare and are under-reported. A sting within the past week again at Chaweng that was serious. It's quite a regular occurrence, but thankfully no fatalities in many years. There is training for these emergencies at the resorts and the quick action in your case is evidence of this - go back 5 -10 years and it's likely you would not survive. Protection on the beach should be in the form of warning signs with information, vinegar stations and nets, though nets are more difficult to implement and many choose not to swim inside them as it dilutes the 'idyllic tropical beach' experience. So, not only is there resistance with nets from locals but also with tourists, many who deny that box jellyfish are a problem at all and quickly refer to all the other risks and dangers in Thailand as being greater. We do our bit here to inform the public, the Thai government is still actively involved in awareness and safety, and many but not all locals are on board too. Individuals need to do their research as well and there is now a lot of info available online about the dangers. Very glad that you are ok and hopefully the scars are healing well. Thanks for your comment!

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  17. I stepped on a box jelly fish coming out of the water late SEPTEMBER 2023 at Chaweng Beach. The pain was excruciating. The stings were around my right ankle; a couple of lashes around my left and a couple on my fingers from where I tried to rip the tentacles off. I landed up in hospital and was given morphine for the pain. The resort treated with vinegar straight away. It is now two weeks later. In that time my stings have blistered and scabbed up. I will be left with scarring though I am grateful it is only on my ankles.

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