Two new and rare soft coral species found in the Gulf of Thailand

14 Sept 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Marine researchers from Chulalongkorn University discovered two new soft coral species, Sirindhornae and Cornigera, in the Gulf of Thailand near Samae San Island.
The rare corals, named Sirindhornae after HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, are distinctive: Sirindhornae is pink and flower-like, while Cornigera is yellow/orange and horn-shaped.
Published in Zootaxa, this significant discovery highlights Thailand's rich marine biodiversity and underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these species from human activity.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Yesterday 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.