Tourist hospitalised after Portuguese man o’ war sting at Phuket beach
Lifeguards treated a foreign tourist who suffered a severe allergic reaction at Naithon Beach before the tourist was taken to hospital.
A foreign tourist was taken to hospital after suffering a severe allergic reaction from a Portuguese man o’ war sting at Naithon Beach in Phuket, with lifeguards providing first aid.
The incident was reported on 9 September 2026 at the beach in Sakhu subdistrict, Thalang district. Images shared by the Phuket Times showed marks on the tourist’s leg and what appeared to be a Portuguese man o’ war inside a container.
Lifeguards warned Thai and foreign visitors not to touch Portuguese man o’ wars or other venomous marine animals with their bare hands, and to alert lifeguards or officials instead.
San Paolo Hua Hin Hospital advises removing any remaining tentacles with an object such as a card, piece of paper or stick, without touching them directly. The affected area should be rinsed with seawater and not rubbed or washed with fresh water. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms, including breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness, should be taken to hospital immediately.
