Red Tide Hits Phuket's Laem Phanwa Beach, Swimming Warned
A harmful algal bloom known as red tide has appeared at Laem Phanwa Beach in Phuket, turning coastal waters reddish-brown over a 150-meter stretch. Officials identified Alexandrium sp. phytoplankton as the cause and warned against swimming or touching the water due to possible skin irritation. Monitoring continues while nutrient analysis is completed.
On November 14, officials from the Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center (DMCR) inspected seawater quality off Laem Phanwa Beach in Phuket after reports of the water turning reddish-brown. The discoloration extended about 150 meters parallel to the shore. Preliminary investigation identified a bloom of Alexandrium sp. phytoplankton as the cause. Initial water quality readings showed temperatures of 32.4–32.9°C, salinity of 30–31 parts per thousand, pH of 8.24–8.36, and dissolved oxygen of 9.7–12.5 mg/L. No immediate impact on marine life was observed, though nutrient levels are still under laboratory analysis. Officials urged the public and tourists not to touch or swim in the affected water due to possible skin irritation, and pledged to continue close monitoring to assess environmental impacts.
