Four whale sharks have been sighted hunting for fish near Koh Talu, about three kilometres from the coast of Bang Saphan Noi district of the southern province of Prachuab Khiri Khan on Sunday.

The surprise appearance of four whale sharks in the Gulf not far away from the mainland caused excitement to group of tourists and divers on board a speed boat on their way from a pier at Klong Chamuang, Ban Nong Samet of Bang Saphan Noi district to Koh Talu island.

The biggest whale shark among the four is thought to be 6-7 metres long while the other three average 3-5 metres long.  The sea where the four mammals were spotted is about 7-8 metres deep.

Mr Sophon Thongdee, deputy director-general of Marine and Coastal Resources Department, said the presence of four whale sharks near Koh Talu stands as a testimony that the sea is abundant with marine lives that attract the arrival of the sharks – thanks to the efforts to ban fishing and the use of trawl nets near the shoreline.

He asked divers not to touch the sharks or use flash lights in taking undersea photos of the sharks, adding that vessels should keep a distance from them and to slow down the speed of their boats.