French boy killed by jellyfish at Koh Phangan

Jellyfish warnings have been posted on Koh Phangan after a 5-year-old boy died after being stung.

Each season swarms of box jellyfish enter the Gulf of Thailand, one of which stung the boy, visiting with his family from France, just off Haad Khuad on Saturday.

He went into shock after coming into contact with the jellyfish’s 20-centimeter, poisonous tentacles and died en route to the hospital for treatment, Supapong Chaolan writes in the Bangkok Post.

Full-grown box jellyfish have tentacles up to three meters long.

During the monsoon season jellyfish swarms can be found at many coastal locations including Koh Samet, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Nam Bor bay, Cha-am beach and other southern islands.

Photo: Sara Lauderdale