PATTAYA, Thailand
Large quantities of black, oil-like substances were found floating in the sea and washing up along Jomtien Beach in Chonburi province on Monday, prompting authorities to urge tourists and residents to stay out of the water temporarily.
The slicks were observed spreading both along the shoreline and in the nearshore waters, disrupting normal beach activities. Visitors who had planned to swim or play in the sea were forced to remain on the sand as a precaution.
Manoch Nongyai, deputy mayor of Pattaya City, said municipal teams had been deployed to collect and clean up the material as quickly as possible. Officials are also coordinating with the Marine Department and environmental agencies to take samples and determine the origin and cause of the pollution.
Preliminary assessments suggest the substance may have come from a vessel illegally discharging waste or drifted from nearby areas. Investigations are ongoing.
Pattaya City authorities have advised the public and tourists to exercise extra caution and avoid entering the water in affected sections of the beach until the situation is clarified and the area is confirmed safe.
This comes one day after a similar situation on nearby Koh Larn.
