Back to libraryDangerous
marine
Portuguese Man o' War
Physalia physalis
Venomous
Description
Blue-purple gas-filled float with tentacles up to 30m long. Not a true jellyfish but a colony organism.
Habitat
Floating on the surface, blown ashore by wind after storms.
Where Found in Thailand
Both Thai coasts, often washed up on beaches — still stings when stranded.
Symptoms
- Intense burning pain
- Long red welts
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing in severe cases
First Aid — DO
- Leave the water
- Remove tentacles with a stick or gloved hand
- Rinse with seawater
- Hot water immersion (45°C) for pain
- Seek medical care if severe
DO NOT
- DO NOT rub the area
- DO NOT touch stranded specimens on the beach
When to seek help
Call 1669 for breathing difficulty, chest pain, or large stings on children.
Call 1669