Israeli boy dies from box jellyfish sting on Koh Phangan

[PeteC]

Another dream vacation turned into a disaster.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... oh-phangan

SURAT THANI: A nine-year-old Israeli boy died after being stung by a box jellyfish while playing in the water at a beach on Koh Phangan island on Saturday.

Poonsak Soponpathumrak, the Koh Phangan district chief, reported the incident to governor Wichawut Jinto.

Mr Poonsak said the boy and his family were playing in the water at Hat Rin beach, in front of Seaview Sunrise lodging house at Moo 6 village in tambon Ban Tai, about 5.30pm.

The father heard his son cry for help and run up onto the beach. The boy had red marks on his right arm and legs and became dizzy. The father poured vinegar onto the stings and called Koh Phangan International Hospital. The boy died on the way to the hospital.

Mr Poonsak said signs written in three languages had been put up at Hat Rin beach by the village committee, warning tourists to go into the water only at designated areas, which were surrounded by nets to protect them from box jellyfish. Bottles of vinegar were also provided at these spots to treat jellyfish stings.

It seemed the boy had been playing in the water outside the netted area, he said.

Varawut Silpa-archa, the minister for natural resources and the environment, said he had been briefed on the incident and expressed condolences to the family.

[Big Boy]

A tragedy, but it happens.

Now, I don't know about the nets on Koh Phangan, but I wonder if there were any warnings that you should swim inside the netted area. I say that because they have such nets at the Southern Khao Takiab Beach, but I went there many times before I realised what they were there for. I was actually calling them shark nets for several weeks until somebody told me what they actually were. There may be signage at Khao Takiab, but it isn't in your face, and I've not noticed it (I've never specifically looked). Most kids are in the water outside of the nets. IMHO if there is a danger bad enough to warrant nets, that danger should be well notified, and maybe the water should be policed.

[PeteC]

I think it also must have been a case of severe allergic reaction. Even for a 9 year old boy the description of time between sting and death was extremely short.

[Motyduke]

No really need of severe allergic reaction, if it is the "box jellyfish" , it is very very venonimous.Many cardiac arrest follow the attack because of the inbearable pâin that it causes.

[HHTel]

Mr Poonsak said signs written in three languages had been put up at Hat Rin beach by the village committee, warning tourists to go into the water only at designated areas, which were surrounded by nets to protect them from box jellyfish. Bottles of vinegar were also provided at these spots to treat jellyfish stings.

There is no picture of the signs in the article. You would expect that as they were mentioned. I guess that adds weight to what BB says in that they weren't very obvious.

[KhunLA]

If you do a Google search of images, you find images of the signs, and the nets, put in place (2017) after the stinging deaths in 2014 & 2015.

Since the father administered vinegar rather fast, gives the impression, he knew about the danger & location of vinegar. From the images, the nets are pretty hard to miss, with rather large yellow floatation ringing the large swimming area.

Only question is, 'why was the kid not swimming in the designated area?' ... Sadly I suspect the father will be asking himself that for decades to come. R I P