Tourists packed onto boats yesterday afternoon to catch a glimpse of a school of about wale sharks spotted about five nautical miles south of Koh Yao Yai island.
The whale sharks, each thought to weigh about three tonnes, were said to display "friendliness" interacting with tourists on the tour boats that had come to greet them and snap photos that were uploaded and shared via Facebook and Line application.
Tour guide Mr Paradon Butlakorn explained that the wale sharks had been coming to this particular spot to feed regularly over the past three years, bringing with them an abundance of sea-life, which also came to the relatively calm area of the Phang Nga Bay to feed.
However, the increased sea life has also attracted local fisherman, who "have no concern for the well-being of the whale sharks," Mr Paradon insisted.
"In the past some of the whale sharks were injured by fishing equipment of the fishermen. We hoping authorities will help to conserve the sea life by better regulating the fisherman and their destructive practices," said Mr Paradon.
Video: Courtesy of Khaosod / YouTube