Mr Apichart Prateep, a member of Sakoo OrBorTor (local Administration Organisation), at 9am reported to Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation that the carcass of an unidentified marine animal had been spotted by a local resident on Naithon Beach.
He said that the area was overwhelmed by a rotting smell and he was afraid that if left the carcass was left it would affect the marine environment and tourism.
“The animal had probably been dead for weeks, it resembles some type of giant fish or whale judging from its head and body,” Mr Apichart said.
Dr Kongkiat Kittiwatthanawong, Chief of the Marine Endangered Species Unit at the Phuket Marine Biology Centre (PMBC) said that he had been notified of the find and that officials from his office were heading up to the area to pick up the carcass to take back to the laboratory.
“We will examine the carcass as soon as it gets to the lab so we can find out what type of animal it is and what caused its death.
“Samples taken from the autopsy will help us learn more about the creature, but from the picture it appears to be a whale shark or other type of fish,” said Dr Kongkiat.