A 13-year-old schoolboy has died after being stung by jellyfish while swimming at Ban Fai Tha beach in Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Three people who went to help him were also injured by the stings but are now safe and recovering.

Nantaphat, known as New, was a student at Sichon Kunatharn Witthaya School. The fatal incident happened during the evening of 1 August, and was reported on 3 August.

The boy had travelled to the area to take part in a charity football competition raising money for the local community. Afterwards, he entered the sea with friends, around 10 metres from the shore.

Stung while swimming with friends

He was reportedly surrounded by jellyfish and suffered stings to his chest, arms and neck, with wounds over much of his body. He went into shock, lost consciousness and developed frothing at the mouth.

He died while being taken to Sichon Hospital.

A close friend, Nattaphakorn, who helped during the emergency, said he saw three or four jellyfish around the boy before he became unconscious. Other friends and residents who went into the water to assist were stung on their arms and calves.

The jellyfish involved were described by locals as "lightning jellyfish", whose venom was blamed for the death.

First reported jellyfish death in Sichon

The funeral is being held at Wat Pathum Thaikaram in Sichon district, where relatives, including the boy's grandparents, have gathered in grief. Cremation is scheduled for Wednesday, 5 August.

Picture courtesy of Workpoint News

Rohem, the imam of a local community mosque, said this type of jellyfish is normally seen in November, making its appearance in August unusual. He said it was the first case in Sichon district in which someone had died from jellyfish venom.

The incident has alarmed local residents and visitors because, according to the report, no similarly serious event had previously occurred in the area. Local authorities have urged people to take particular care when entering the sea during this period.

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4 August 2026

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wonder if it was a morbakka fenneri

2 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

morbakka fenneri

small box jelly or the larger kind Chironex indrasaksajiae

8 minutes ago, kwilco said:

small box jelly or the larger kind Chironex indrasaksajiae

morbakka is small

clearly the kid had irukandje syndrome

Very sad. RIP young man.

When I was a lot younger than I am now I did a lot of snorkeling around the Florida panhandle. It was not unusual to be stung by jellyfish and if so, you would pour Piss on the sting, and the pain would go away. Here in Thailand if you are stung by a scorpion or some bee you can put tobacco moisten with spit on the sting and the pain would be minimal.

Now that is a sad story, for the poor unfortunate family.

RIP young lad

Beaches in Cairns, northern Australia have plastic bottles with vinegar for jelly fish stings. During the worst seasonal times people stay out of the sea.

2 hours ago, biggles45 said:

Beaches in Cairns, northern Australia have plastic bottles with vinegar for jelly fish stings. During the worst seasonal times people stay out of the sea.

The vinegar stops the tentacles injecting more venom. It doesn't stop the pain or the symptoms developing up to and including death.

11 hours ago, Yagoda said:

morbakka is small

clearly the kid had irukandje syndrome

Why do you say that? Was it an irukandji that stung him?

I've seen first hand what irukandji

envenomation does. My daughter was stung in the Northern Territory when she was 9 years old. Pretty confronting situation for any parent.

11 hours ago, Yagoda said:

morbakka is small

clearly the kid had irukandje syndrome

Irukandji syndrome can be caused by other jellyfish species as well, like morbakka for example. But it usually takes 10 to 40 minutes for the symptoms to kick in and at least 4 hours for someone to die from irukandji syndrom. Having said that, in very rare extreme cases it can cause cardiac arrest within 20 to 30 minutes. So it was either that or he was allergic to the venom and died from anaphylactic shock.

By the way, why did you mention that morbakka are small?

R.I.P. Such a shame to go out at that age!

11 hours ago, Yagoda said:

morbakka is small

clearly the kid had irukandje syndrome

"clearly" - I'd say he didn't show signs of irukandje syndrome at all - the Thai name "lightning" implies immediate and sharp symptoms straight away which do not correlate with irukandje syndrome - also have you seen how small irukandji are? THey said they could see several -

5 hours ago, cdulaney said:

When I was a lot younger than I am now I did a lot of snorkeling around the Florida panhandle. It was not unusual to be stung by jellyfish and if so, you would pour Piss on the sting, and the pain would go away. Here in Thailand if you are stung by a scorpion or some bee you can put tobacco moisten with spit on the sting and the pain would be minimal.

I was stung on my wrist off Suan son beach, Hua Hin early April 24 . Poured urine and vinegar on it to no avail. I was in agony for 7 hours. The worst pain ever! The only thing that eased the pain (discovered after 6 hours!) was immersing it in hot water. I can't imagine the pain of being stung all over...poor kid! I will stick to swimming pools, I think, at the risky time of year.

5 hours ago, cdulaney said:

you would pour Piss on the sting,

NOT recommended, and most jellyfish stings go away of their own accord – pissing on them is a myth even dangerous in the case of Box Jellies.

The problem in Thailand is that they are not proactive against box jellies, and any action happens after an incident. Also, they fail to scientifically identify the jelly on almost every occasion, so we have little or no idea what to do about it.

Horrific....how sad.

I was stung swimming out to a raft in Cebu......felt like boiling water poured had been poured on me from the neck to the end of one foot.

I was 3/4 of the way to the raft, but there was no one but me out there.......so I swam back to shore....... with only belly button touching the water.

Lots of things to kill you here but reported in Thai news says box jellyfish the number one RIP.

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

NOT recommended, and most jellyfish stings go away of their own accord – pissing on them is a myth even dangerous in the case of Box Jellies.

NOT recommended by YOU? A Myth? it is a fact Jack as it worked for me but maybe Not for you. You must be one of those City Slickers.

2 hours ago, emptypockets said:

I've seen first hand what irukandji

envenomation does. My daughter was stung in the Northern Territory when she was 9 years old. Pretty confronting situation for any parent.

wow. i have respect for you. thats rough

2 hours ago, SunsetT said:

I was stung on my wrist off Suan son beach, Hua Hin early April 24 . Poured urine and vinegar on it to no avail. I was in agony for 7 hours. The worst pain ever! The only thing that eased the pain (discovered after 6 hours!) was immersing it in hot water. I can't imagine the pain of being stung all over...poor kid! I will stick to swimming pools, I think, at the risky time of year.

hot water doesnt work on the sting, it works on your nerves. like putting stinging hot water on a skeeter bite.

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

NOT recommended, and most jellyfish stings go away of their own accord – pissing on them is a myth even dangerous in the case of Box Jellies.

what do the aussies reccommend

2 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

Irukandji syndrome can be caused by other jellyfish species as well, like morbakka for example. But it usually takes 10 to 40 minutes for the symptoms to kick in and at least 4 hours for someone to die from irukandji syndrom. Having said that, in very rare extreme cases it can cause cardiac arrest within 20 to 30 minutes. So it was either that or he was allergic to the venom and died from anaphylactic shock.

By the way, why did you mention that morbakka are small?

it is comparatively to other jellyfish. not as small as the tiny carukias obviously

41 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

wow. i have respect for you. thats rough

hot water doesnt work on the sting, it works on your nerves. like putting stinging hot water on a skeeter bite.

what do the aussies reccommend

it is comparatively to other jellyfish. not as small as the tiny carukias obviously

I see. Thanks for clearing fhat up!

1 hour ago, cdulaney said:

NOT recommended by YOU? A Myth? it is a fact Jack as it worked for me but maybe Not for you. You must be one of those City Slickers.

No, it didn't...you are confusing association with causation – nothing to do with me – just a scientific fact. The "pee on a jellyfish sting" advice is a Hollywood myth. Urine is mostly water and can actually trigger unfired stingers to release more venom.

The correct first aid is vinegar with some species (e.g., box jellies but NOT bluebottles) to stop further stings, then hot water for pain relief, and carefully remove any remaining tentacles. If it's a box jellyfish sting or there's any difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical help immediately.

PS - I'm a 3rd-gen banana bender

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

what do the aussies reccommend

In Australia the standard first aid for a box jelly sting is to douse in vinegar for 30 secs or more – this doesn't ease pain; it paralyses the venom injectors. Pouring water hot or cold at first will increase the envenomation, as will peeing on the stuck tentacles. You could, in fact, kill the victim.

As the victim is in imminent danger of heart failure, the sequence is this: get the person out of the water, apply vinegar, remove tentacles, and call for emergency medical help while monitoring breathing and starting CPR if needed.... once In the hospital, severe box jellyfish stings are treated with specific antivenom, cardiac and breathing support, and strong pain relief.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by kwilco

19 hours ago, kwilco said:

"clearly" - I'd say he didn't show signs of irukandje syndrome at all - the Thai name "lightning" implies immediate and sharp symptoms straight away which do not correlate with irukandje syndrome - also have you seen how small irukandji are? THey said they could see several -

Irukandji, as you say, are tiny. The only mark on my daughter resembled a small comma on her chest. We were only about a ten minute drive from the hospital but in that time she started experiencing paralysis in her arms and legs.

Thankfully the nurse recognised what it was and started with the pethidine injections and covered her in those foil space blankets without waiting for the doctor. The daughters belly swelled up markedly. There was no antivenene used as far as I recall.

6 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Irukandji, as you say, are tiny. The only mark on my daughter resembled a small comma on her chest. We were only about a ten minute drive from the hospital but in that time she started experiencing paralysis in her arms and legs.

Thankfully the nurse recognised what it was and started with the pethidine injections and covered her in those foil space blankets without waiting for the doctor. The daughters belly swelled up markedly. There was no antivenene used as far as I recall.

As you say, only a small wound ... as far as I can tell, there is currently no specific antivenom available for Irukandji jellyfish stings. Treatment for Irukandji syndrome focuses entirely on managing individual symptoms, stabilising vital signs, and providing supportive medical care in a hospital. The problem with Jellyfish stings especially in Thailand is identifying the creature involved - in the case in thr OP it seems he had bid sting marks which woould suggest some kind of box jelly - however there simply hasn't been enough research and hos[itals etc often either don't know what to do or isidentify the creature.

For instance, pethidine - It is often avoided with severe jellyfish stings, i.e.box jellyfish or Irukandji, because large doses can cause significant heart depression, low blood pressure, and dangerous neurotoxic side effects. Doctors usually use alternative opioids like morphine or fentanyl

As with a lot of medical care in Thailand, it is a lottery.

5 minutes ago, kwilco said:

As you say, only a small wound ... as far as I can tell, there is currently no specific antivenom available for Irukandji jellyfish stings. Treatment for Irukandji syndrome focuses entirely on managing individual symptoms, stabilising vital signs, and providing supportive medical care in a hospital. The problem with Jellyfish stings especially in Thailand is identifying the creature involved - in the case in thr OP it seems he had bid sting marks which woould suggest some kind of box jelly - however there simply hasn't been enough research and hos[itals etc often either don't know what to do or isidentify the creature.

For instance, pethidine - It is often avoided with severe jellyfish stings, i.e.box jellyfish or Irukandji, because large doses can cause significant heart depression, low blood pressure, and dangerous neurotoxic side effects. Doctors usually use alternative opioids like morphine or fentanyl

As with a lot of medical care in Thailand, it is a lottery.

The daughter was stung in Northern Australia about forty years ago. Pethidine was the treatment administered for the pain. No idea what is used these days, and hope I never need to find out.

Same goes with box jellies of the chironex fleckeri species. I've got post mortem photos of an unfortunate young lady. Completely covered in the classic ladder like marks. No chance of survival. A four inch box jelly is a big one, and as you know the tentacles can trail for metres. They have a basic vision system and can hunt in a basic fashion. One got me when launching a boat. I watched the mongrel do a turn towards me and whammo, it got me on the ankle. A very, very minor contact but hurt like hell.

Back in the day people would wear ladies tights for protection in QLD but in Thailand I wear a rash vest and sometimes swimming tights - in might raise a few eyebrows but I used to do a lot of swimming and kayaking - they also protect against UV.

In Oz they know the species and the seasons and the sources (estuaries) but in Thailand the research is very limited. they haven't identiied x]sources or seasons - they just assume the life cycle is similar to those in Australia. Lisa Ann Gershwin Lives in Oz) is a leading authority of Jellies of all sorts,; she did some work in Thailand and has a newly identified species of box Jelliy named after her.

Edited August 5Aug 5 by kwilco