Officials examined the carcass of a Bryde’s whale that washed ashore at Samaesarn Island, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. It was identified as an adult male measuring 10 meters in length. Tissue samples were collected to determine the cause of death.
A large Bryde’s whale carcass was found drifting and stranded on rocks at the rear of Samaesarn Island, Samaesarn Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, on 17 August 2026. Local fishermen discovered it and reported to officials. Initially, the carcass was in a state of decomposition, with its sex, age, and cause of death unknown.
On 18 August 2026, the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 2, through its Marine Conservation Division, collaborated with the Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Command, veterinarians from the Eastern Gulf of Thailand Marine Resources Research Center, and the Samaesarn Island tour boat operators’ network to survey and conduct an autopsy on the Bryde’s whale carcass on the western side of Samaesarn Island, Samaesarn Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province.
Preliminary examination and autopsy by veterinarians confirmed the whale as a male Bryde’s whale, fully grown, with a body length of about 10 meters. The carcass was heavily decomposed. Examination of the digestive system found no food remains or foreign objects inside.
Officials collected tissue and biological samples for analysis and genetic comparison, as well as gathering relevant evidence. A detailed autopsy report will follow to determine the true cause of death and to investigate whether human activity was involved.
Meanwhile, the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 2 filed a daily record report with investigators at Sattahip Police Station as evidence, recorded as case number 6 on 18 August 2026 at 11:41 a.m., to support investigation and collection of related evidence.
If investigations find wrongdoing or that the whale’s death is linked to illegal acts, authorities will pursue legal action under the applicable laws.
This Bryde’s whale carcass represents important marine resource data for the Sattahip area. Officials will expedite thorough investigation to determine the cause of death and appropriate scientific management of the carcass.