Sharks in Thailand: Separating Myth from Reality – Are They Truly Dangerous?

By Sorrasek Phiboonthammasak Date 06 Dec 2024

Thailand’s sharks are more fascinating than fearsome. Explore common species and the truth about shark attacks

Are there sharks in Thailand

The answer is yes there are sharks in Thailand.

The next question all beach goers and scuba divers will ask is “Are sharks dangerous in Thailand” or “Are there shark attacks in Thailand”. In this guide we will explore those questions and learn more about shark species in Thailand.

Are there shark attack or Are shark dangerous in Thailand

The short answer is yes there are shark attacks in Thailand.

The long answer is yes there is shark attack in Thailand, however there is only one incident in the past two years (2023, 2024). If you compare the number of shark attacks and the number of tourists visiting beach destinations in Thailand, the chance of getting a shark attack is 1 in 25,000,000 which is lower than the chance of you winning a lottery ticket.

The recent incident indicated that the shark attacked a tourist from the beach front in Phang Nga. However, the tourists did not have severe damage and only left with the bite mark. From the news, the local expert said "There was only one bite without any further wrestling, biting, or eating of the flesh.

"So we believe it recognized the tourist was not its natural prey and released her” "This behaviour indicated that it did not intend to hunt a human, but rather a misunderstanding. I believe it was a Bull Shark." All of which indicate that sharks attacking humans is not in its natural behavior.

Are there great white sharks in Thailand

The most fatal shark attacks are from the great white shark. The great white sharks are commonly known for their brutality from the movies like “Jaws”, “Deep Blue Sea” or the “The Shallows”. And, the danger it is shown in the movie is mostly for entertainment, their natural behavior is strikingly different.

However, there are no great white sharks in Thailand, as it is not in their natural habitat. Most shark species in Thailand are either small shark species hunting on reef fish or large shark species that are plankton feeders. Snorkels or scuba divers can be certain that they will not see these great white in Thailand.

Common shark species found in Thailand

Now you’ve learned that sharks are not dangerous in Thailand. Let’s explore what shark species you can find in Thai waters. Getting to know them better so that you can have and understand and less fear when you meet with one of them

Whale Shark

Whale shark is the largest shark on planet earth. They are also the largest fish in the sea. Whale sharks are plankton feeders, hence they will not attack humans in any way. With its striking pattern of blue and white dot and its size, whale shark is a bucket list species for scuba divers around the world.

Where to find them: Due to its size, ranging from 9 to 12 meters. Whale sharks will be found in deeper reef locations like rock pinnacle or remote island’s reef area. Scuba divers can find them in Similan, Richelieu Rock, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, Koh Tao and Losin.

Leopard Shark

With its black dot and yellow skin colored, Leopard sharks got the name from their skin pattern. Contrary to its name, leopard sharks are not dangerous at all. Leopard sharks are quite shy and will swim away when they meet with the scuba diver underwater. In addition, leopard sharks are bottom feeder, meaning they eat from the sand. Hence their jaws do not develop to bite like the great white shark.

Where to find them: Leopard sharks are a rare species, divers will find them sleeping on the sandy bottom of the dive site. Leopard sharks are mostly spotted in the dive site that has a mix of local reef and sandy area. The common area to find leopard sharks are Koh Phi Phi and Similan

White tip reef shark

White tip reef shark is a small reef shark that has a painted white skin on its fin tip. The sharks are a small shark species that can only grow up to 1.5 meters in length. Their main prey is the reef fish, and they mostly hunt at night. During the day time, scuba divers will find them lying on the seafloor channel, breathing in water during their rest.

Where to find them: White tip reef shark is a common reef shark that can be found in most of the reefs in Thailand. But in popular spots like Phuket and Pattaya where the boat traffic is heavy, you might not spot them. Their common locations are Similan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao and Koh Chang.

Black tip reef shark

Similar to the white tip, the black tip reef shark has a black skin at the end of their fins. The difference between them is their behavior. Black tip reef sharks hunt at night, during the day, they will circling around the reef to breath and rest. Hence divers spot them swimming around the reef area. But, they are not dangerous, as they are small and will swim away when interacting with scuba divers.

Where to find them: Black tip reef sharks are famous in Phi Phi island, especially at Maya Bay. At Maya Bay, beach goers can even see their juvenile (or so called “baby shark”) swimming in the shallow crystal clear water of Phi Phi national park.

Bamboo shark

Now you probably can guess it. Yes, Bamboo shark has a long and slender body with a black striped patter across the body, all of which resembled the bamboo. The sharks are small and can only grow to 1.2 meters in size. These nocturnal sharks are bottom-dwellers, spending their days hiding in crevices and coral reefs. At night, they come out to hunt small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Again, these sharks are shy and will evade scuba divers once we meet them.

Where to find them: Bamboo sharks are commonly found in coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky seabeds in shallow waters. Similan, Surin island, Phuket and Koh Phi Phi will provide a good chance to spot them.

Grey Reef Shark

Grey reef shark is one of the most common shark species found in the tropical waters of Thailand. As their name suggests, they are gray in color, with a lighter underside. Their distinctive feature is the black edge on the lower part of their tail fin. These sharks are active hunters, feeding on fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are known for their swift movements and are often spotted patrolling reef edges and drop-offs. However, they are generally not dangerous to humans and rarely attack unless provoked.

Where to find them: The sharks are commonly spotted in the thriving coral reef, as it has many fish to feed on. The dive site in remote locations like Similan Islands, Surin Island and Hin Muang Hin Daeng will provide a good chance to see them.

Bull Shark

Bull sharks are probably the most dangerous shark species in this list. With its thick and muscular body with a short round head, the shark got its name from the similarity with the muscular bull. These sharks can thrive in both freshwater and saltwater. And, it can grow up to 3.5 meters or 200 Kg. These sharks are territorial and aggressive. However, there are only a few sightings of them in Thailand. It is once in a blue moon to spot a bull shark in Thailand.

Conclusion

Sharks are undeniably one of the most fascinating and misunderstood creatures in the ocean. In Thailand, while there are several shark species, they are far from the ferocious predators often depicted in movies. The likelihood of a shark attack in Thai waters is extremely low.

From the gentle whale sharks to the bamboo sharks and the sleek grey reef sharks, these species play a vital role for the marine eco system. And they are to be admired rather than feared. Thailand offers an incredible opportunity to observe these creatures in their natural habitat.

For beachgoers and divers, there’s no need to fear sharks in Thailand. With proper understanding and respect, encountering a shark can be a highlight of your trip. Let’s admire these creatures for the vital role they play in the ocean and work to protect their habitats for generations to come.

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