The ruling raised hope that the protected status of the Bryde's whale would garner the species more publicity and improve its chances of survival. Annually, one to two Bryde's whales die in Thai waters and four to five calves are born, keeping the population in balance. At the starting point for one whale watching spot in Phetchaburi, the mangrove swamp is cluttered with garbage. He hopes that placing the Bryde's whale on Thailand's protected list will speed regulation of the whale watching industry. Since the start of the year, six Bryde's whale carcasses have been discovered in waters along the upper gulf.

Source: Bangkok Post September 25, 2016 00:22 UTC