TRAT: Tourists visiting Koh Kood and Koh Mak in Trat province are being told to only swim in protected areas to avoid being stung during jellyfish season.
The advice follows an incident in which a couple from Samut Prakan were stung on their legs after touching jellyfish while swimming off Bang Bao beach in Koh Kood on Friday afternoon.
Vinegar was poured on the affected skin of the swimmers and they were taken to Trat Hospital where they are now recovering, said Peerawat Wangratkul, chief of Koh Kood district.
"Box jellyfish have been found off Bang Bao beach so hotel operators have been informed about the situation," he said. "A net has been put up to block the jellyfish and tourists are encouraged to only enter the water in the marked area."
Mr Peerawat said more box jellyfish have been seen at Koh Mak. Nets and vinegar stations have been thus prepared to ensure that injured tourists will get immediate assistance to reduce the severity of any stings.
Jakkraphat Tavetikul, president of the Tourism Business Association in Trat, said five vinegar stations are now available at Koh Mak, where box jellyfish are most concentrated. Netting also designates safe areas along the beaches.
He said that people should not panic if they touch the jellyfish but instead, seek out immediate first-aid treatment.
The box jellyfish carries an extremely potent venom in its long tentacles. A sting can be fatal and is very painful. Two people -- one German and one Thai -- died in Surat Thani from jellyfish stings in 2015.
If a sting occurs, pouring vinegar on the area can deactivate the stinging cells, called nematocysts, but the victim's skin should not be rubbed.
Soda water can be used if vinegar is not available, but it is less effective.