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Plankton bloom turns Thai island waters a bright, smelly green
Researchers said heavy rains and floods fed the bloom, while some beach vendors reported fewer customers as swimmers stayed out of the water.
- On Thursday, Oct 1, 2026, the sea off the tourist island of Koh Lan in Thailand turned a bright, pungent green due to a plankton bloom, forcing swimmers to avoid affected coastal areas.
- Significant flooding in Thailand in recent weeks, combined with fertiliser runoff and warmer seas linked to climate change, has increased freshwater volume and fueled rapid plankton growth in the Gulf.
- Arvut Munhapon, a senior researcher at the Marine Science Research Division, identified the organism as Noctiluca. Tourists like 29-year-old Latipeya Thantibhapat avoided the water, fearing skin rashes.
- Mass plankton die-offs create hypoxic "aquatic dead zone" conditions, according to Anukul Buranapratheprat of the Marine Science Research Division. Food vendors reported fewer customers as visitors avoided the discoloured water.
- While blooms typically last two to three days, researchers warn that this year's monsoons may intensify both the bloom and hypoxic conditions in the Gulf.
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Sea around popular tourist island turned a bright smelly green
This year's monsoons and El Niño may be intensifying the issue
·London, United Kingdom
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Plankton bloom turns Thai island waters a bright, smelly green
·London, United Kingdom
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Koh Lan Sea Turns Green, Surprised Tourists Expect “Plankton Bloom” After the Pattaya Avalanche, a lot of fresh water flows into the sea
Koh Larn plankton bloom turns sea green after heavy rain in Pattaya
Sections of the sea around Koh Larn turned green yesterday, September 30, after several days of heavy rain and unsettled weather in Pattaya, with officials saying a plankton bloom was the likely cause. The discolouration was particularly noticeable around Tawaen Beach. Local officials described the occurrence as a normal rainy-season phenomenon and said similar blooms … The story Koh Larn plankton bloom turns sea green after heavy rain in Pattay…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Right
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Right
45% Right
L 22%
C 33%
R 45%
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