Recently, swimmers had the opportunity to observe the corals of the beaches of Ao Muk and Ao Yai in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, emerging above the water surface in a large area during low tide. Numerous photos of the emerged coral reefs have been circulated on the internet conveying an unfounded concern.
The Director General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources indicated that this natural phenomenon was expected according to the tidal calendar of the Marine Hydrographic Department, which notified that there would be three days of high tides.
The high tides occur when the moon and the sun are in alignment with the earth. The attraction of the two objects is cumulative and attracts the water of the oceans very strongly.
Such cases of conjunction occur every year during this period and even if the sun is scorching the corals that emerge above the water surface do not suffer from the heat because it is only for a short period of time.
However, swimmers are advised to refrain from diving activities during low tide for the safety of marine resources and people. Today, the water has receded for the last day and will gradually start to rise again from 2 pm covering the coral reefs underwater as usual. The corals will regain their underwater tranquility until the new high tides expected this year in mid-July.
