Where did all the water go?
In a phenomenon seen only once every 18 years, the tide level dropped dramatically along the Prachuap Khiri Khan shore on Tuesday afternoon, revealing the sea bed and coral.
Passengers on the Hua Hin-Pattaya ferry had plenty of time to snap photos of the unusual sight when their departure time was postponed from 1 to 4pm.
The low tide was most apparent between Hua Hin Beach and Bang Saphan Noi district, where fishing boats docking in the Khao Takiab Canal came close to resting on its muddy bottom.
The tide was lowest from noon to 1pm and the phenomenon was expected to recur at the same time on Wednesday and Thursday.
Bumrungchat Chat-ananthawet, director of the Institute for Research and Development of Marine Resources and Coastal Mangrove, said the plunging tide level was a natural phenomenon that takes place every 18 years, each time lasting several days and for 1-3 hours a day.
He said it doesn’t harm the coral or other marine life, which are able to adjust.
But he warned anyone taking pictures to avoid stepping on coral or otherwise disturbing the marine ecosystem.