Jellyfish Stings and Rip Currents in Thailand: What to Do

After a jellyfish sting, get out of the sea and call 1669, then pour household vinegar over the sting for at least 30 seconds. Never use fresh water, alcohol or rubbing. Two red flags mean no swimming. The monsoon period runs June to October.

If a jellyfish stings you, get out of the sea and phone 1669, then pour household vinegar over the sting for at least 30 seconds. Never use fresh water, alcohol or rubbing.

First aid for a jellyfish sting

Follow these steps in order.

1. Get out of the sea at once, ask for help and call the emergency medical service 1669.
2. Keep the injured person still and do not scrub the contact area.
3. Pour household vinegar of 4 to 6% strength over the contact area for at least 30 seconds.
4. If the person does not improve, take them to hospital quickly.

Vinegar stops the stinging cells working but does not relieve pain. Pour it for the full time before trying any other pain relief. Remaining tentacles come off with a stick or tongs, after the vinegar. If the person stops breathing or the heart stops, start CPR at once while waiting for transfer to hospital.

What not to do

Never pour fresh water, white spirit or alcohol, and do not scrub or rub the contact area, because it triggers the stinging cells to fire and more venom enters the body. Avoid a tight stretch bandage over the stung area. Do not touch a dead or stranded jellyfish, since it can still sting. Questions about stings can go to the 1422 hotline, and other numbers are on the Thailand emergency numbers page.

Where and when jellyfish are a risk

Jellyfish turn up more in the rainy season, especially after rain, in shallow sea near the shore. Box jellyfish are more common in the monsoon months, when winds and currents bring them closer in. They are reported occasionally at Ko Lanta, the Phi Phi marine park, Nam Bo Bay, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Ko Tao, Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Mak and Ko Kut. On the Gulf coast, bluebottles show up from January to March.

Vinegar points and how to avoid stings

Look for vinegar points and follow the warning signs. Wear covering clothing in the water and skip swimming after rain; rash guards, lycra suits or long sleeves reduce the risk of stings. If box jellyfish remains lie on the beach, do not swim. If toxic jellyfish are found or officials warn of them, stop water activities and do not touch one directly.

Avoid swimming at night, after heavy rain, or outside the buoyed safety zones. The Marine Warning website warning.dmcr.go.th and app carry current warnings.

Beach flags in Thailand

Swim in a designated area or where lifeguards are present. Wear a life jacket every time you enter the water, and avoid swimming where scooters, banana boats and jet skis operate.

Rip currents: spot them and get out

Rip currents can occur at almost every beach. Look for water that is whiter and murkier than the water around it, or broken, grooved waves with a gap in the wave line.

If you are caught in one, stay calm and do not swim against it, because you will tire and drown. Swim parallel to the shore, and swim back in once you are out of the current.

Monsoon months on the Andaman coast

The monsoon period runs from June to October, with strong waves. For month-by-month beach planning, see best Thai islands by month. Region guides: Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Ao Nang and Hua Hin.

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Not confirmed: The meaning of a purple marine-hazard flag is not confirmed by an official page. Exact box jellyfish season dates by coast are not published on the pages read.

General health information checked against the sources listed above, not medical advice. Rules, vaccine schedules and prices change; see a doctor or the hospital before you act. See how guides are checked.

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