Photo via Sanook

 

by leah

A lucky fisherman stumbled across three kilogrammes of rare whale puke – or ambergris – while taking a stroll on the beach in Rayong, eastern Thailand, on Sunday. If genuine, he can sell the “floating gold” for three million baht (US$87,931).

Ambergris (“grey amber” in French) is a rare and valuable material produced in the digestive system of some species of whales, including sperm whales. It is a solid waxy substance that is either regurgitated by or passes through the whale.

“Floating gold” might smell like faeces when the whale spits it out but reportedly develops a unique and pleasant smell once it washes up on the beach and dries out in the sun. The substance is used as an ingredient in expensive perfumes to make the scent last longer, and because of its rarity, sells for a high price.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/lucky-fisherman-finds-whale-puke-worth-3-million-baht-on-thailand-beach

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-27

 

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I (or more specifically my old dog, now sadly passed away) have found loads of stuff that looked like this on Rayong's beaches over the years.... but never recognised it for what it was.

 

Perhaps time to get walking again...?

First why he exposes himself in such a way to attract unwanted attention, second, he be lucky to get even a fraction of that sum if it is Ambergris, but all in all better than a kick in the bum.

I wonder why he picked it up. Did he have any idea what it (possibly) is?

Or did he just want to clean up the beach?

 

42 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I wonder why he picked it up. Did he have any idea what it (possibly) is?

Or did he just want to clean up the beach?

 

Try reading the article? 

Troll post removed. The article link contains more details.

Whale puke is worth that much? How much is whale poop worth?

1 hour ago, brucegoniners said:

Whale puke is worth that much? How much is whale poop worth?

Whatever the buyer wants to pay?