Following reports of the dugong sightings being shared online yesterday morning (Aug 20), Rawai Deputy Mayor Nikorn Paphakityotphat, along with municipal officials, arrived at Rawai Pier to confirm the sightings themselves.
Mr Nikorn confirmed the sighting, with an adult dugong observed swimming near the pier, occasionally surfacing for air.
Mr Nikorn expressed his excitement about the presence of the dugong. "As reported by the villagers, we found a dugong near Rawai Pier. We walked around and observed it surfacing. This is a significant event for Rawai and a positive sign of our marine ecosystem’s health," he said.
Dugongs, which are herbivorous marine mammals, feed on seagrass, indicating the continued fertility and richness of Rawai’s coastal waters, Mr Nikorn said.
“The fact that a dugong has come here shows that our environment is still thriving. Dugongs only come to areas where there is an abundance of the plants they eat, so this sighting is very encouraging,” he added.
Local authorities plan to continue monitoring the area and will provide updates on any further developments related to the dugong sighting, he noted.
Irina Demidova of the ‘Mermaid Couple Tribe’, which provides lessons on becoming a ‘mermaid’ through underwater modelling and dance, was likewise ecstatic about the sighting.
“There are two dugongs swimming around Rawai Pier in Rawai and looking for seagrass to eat!” Ms Demidova posted online.
“Totally happy and grateful to Kongkiat Kittiwatanawong to inform and Nedrangsee Pranama Chitrat for guiding, informing and helping with SD card for my camera, “she added.
“Thank you to Khun Thon Thamrongnawasawat , ขยะมรสุม ᴍᴏɴsᴏᴏɴɢᴀʀʙᴀɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɪʟᴀɴᴅ , Marat Marine Biologist to always inspire and enlighten. Thank you กรมทรัพยากรทางทะเลและชายฝั่ง to do your job to help marine life!
“I wish dear two dugongs (and more and more) will find a safe space with delicious seagrass and live long and happy… As a mermaid and instructor I will also try to do my best to enlighten people and spread love to underwater life,” Ms Demidova said.
“My arms are trembling from happiness to watch with my own eyes and wish we can save more nature as a part of our wonderful and unique planet Earth,” she added.
The sighting over the dugongs at Rawai has inspired local Thais following the DMCR posting a constant stream of reports and videos of a baby dugong rescued from being stranded at Koh Poda, in Ao Nang District, Krabi, on Aug 10.