Sharks in Hua Hin: How safe is it here?

Rest can be different, but it should be safe in the first place. In this regard, many are concerned about sharks in Hua Hin: are they there, is it safe to swim? Where are the journalists, and where - the truth?

Are there really sharks in the Gulf of Thailand?

The Gulf of Thailand itself is relatively shallow and not badly heated. It's also protected from the ocean. In the present, the ecological situation here is improving. All this means more fish that sharks are after. So they will be here.

As a rule, they are gray, bull, different kinds of reef, leopard, tiger, and black. Their level of aggression towards humans is rated as medium. That is, the probability of attack is not very high, the greatest risk are usually exposed to divers who swim into their possession.

However, divers are taught on special courses how to behave. And the places for diving are chosen as safe as possible. In addition, many sharks lead a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle. So it is relatively safe to swim and dive during the day.

Do you often see sharks on Hua Hin beach?

In April 2018, a bull shark attacked a Norwegian tourist on the central beach of Hua Hin. The victim was taken to the capital's hospital with a bite. The city administration tried to look into what had happened. It was initially speculated that the tourist may have been injured by the reef. However, the shark attack was later acknowledged.

On the one hand, of course, this is unpleasant news. On the other hand, there is also a lot of positive news. For example, the authorities did not deny to the last that it was a shark attack. In addition, they have taken certain measures to ensure the safety of tourists.

The beach itself was closed for 20 days after the incident. The bathing area was fenced with a special metal mesh, through which no large enough and dangerous to man underwater predator simply will not be able to get through. In addition, the local authorities equipped lifeguards with drones to monitor the situation.

Keep in mind that this has never happened before in Hua Hin. And even this case, fortunately, was not fatal. The city's authorities also point out that the situation has largely been brought to the attention of journalists who lack newsworthiness. Hua Hin itself is fairly prosperous. Therefore, every emergency incident causes a whole scandal.

How not to get hurt by a shark?

There are certain rules of conduct on the water, which should be followed to reduce the likelihood of an attack. First, there are more guarantees of safety if you swim no further than 20 meters from the shore. Predatory fish will not get here: it will be too shallow, hot, and there is almost no game.

Secondly, it is worth considering that sharks are very good at smelling blood and reacting to it. So do not enter the water if you have an open wound. It is dangerous for a number of reasons, and may also attract the attention of sharks. If you are injured in the water, try to get out of there as soon as possible to a boat or on dry land.

Also, do not take brightly colored swimsuits or other equipment to swim. In the Gulf of Thailand, this is what the main prey of sharks looks like. Therefore, predatory fish can attack you just by mistake. The same applies to the rest of the shiny accessories: jewelry, underwater watches and so on.

Particular caution should be exercised by divers. Even if you've dived a lot in another part of the world, it still wouldn't hurt to take some courses if you're in the Gulf of Thailand for the first time. So you will learn the local characteristics and understand how to behave in the water and underwater. Following simple enough rules can save your life. And do not forget to inquire about the presence of fencing nets on the beach. Especially if you are going to swim with children!