SURAT THANI - Divers around Koh Tao were treated to a memorable wildlife encounter after spotting a whale shark swimming alongside a large school of batfish at one of the island's premier dive sites.
Playful whale sharks were recently sighted nudging dive boats as schools of batfish dazzled spectators underwater.
The latest sighting followed recent reports of two whale sharks, each 3–5 metres in length, being seen on opposite sides of Koh Tao, at Chumphon Pinnacle to the island's northwest and Sail Rock to the southeast.
Ramluek Asawachin, president of the Koh Tao Tourism Business Association, said the latest sighting occurred at Southwest Pinnacle, one of Koh Tao's top dive sites, where a whale shark was seen gracefully swimming among a large school of batfish.
The encounter wowed divers and underwater photographers.
A local dive instructor said two whale sharks had been regularly spotted around Koh Tao. (continues below)
The larger shark, around six metres in length, has a dark body with a distinctive notch near its mouth and is known for playfully nudging the ladder of dive boats as if inviting divers into the water.
The second, smaller, whale shark, about three metres and lighter in colour, is often seen swimming alongside schools of fish and approaching divers near Chumphon Pinnacle, Sail Rock and Southwest Pinnacle.
She said the presence of whale sharks, one of the ocean's largest fish species, together with large schools of batfish reflects the health of Koh Tao's marine ecosystem. The island remains one of the world's most popular diving destinations for both Thai and international visitors.
Whale sharks feed on plankton - microscopic plant and animal organisms they filter out of the water.
Dive operators and relevant authorities continue to urge divers to practise responsible wildlife tourism by avoiding contact with or disturbance of marine animals to help preserve Koh Tao's marine resources.
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