Tourists, particularly those who chase protected Bryde’s whales with Jet Skis, must not disturb the peace of the rare mammals, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa.
News of the sighting of Bryde’s whales near the coast of Petchaburi province lit up the internet last week, attracting flocks of tourists who visited the scene in the hope to catch a glimpse of the rare mammal.
One group of 20 tourists rode Jet Skis to chase after the whales, disturbing and potentally harming the protected mammals.
Responding to the incident, Mr Varawut said he had ordered line agencies to admonish the tourists and educate them on sustainable tourism.
"Bryde’s whales which appear seasonally in Petchburi are precious gifts from nature," said Mr Varawut. He added that he planned to turn the Petchaburi coast into a sustainable tourism destination, imitating the whale shark tourism of Cebu city in the Philippines.
At the whale watching site in Cebu, Mr Varawut said, strict rules were enacted to ensure the wellbeing of the animals. Both the government and locals were working to ensure the wellbeing of the animals.
In the meantime, the minister urged tourists to abide by whale-watching rules.
“Tourists are urged not to disturb the whales because with such disturbances, the mammals may not return to the site” he said.