Waterspouts can be dangerous and it is advised that boaters steer clear
of them.
Boonlua Chatree
Sun worshippers and beach vendors whipped themselves
into a panic when a tornado appeared in Pattaya Bay, swirling wind and
water about 400 meters in the air, but causing no serious damage.
Hardly uncommon to Pattaya, waterspouts are
tornado-like vortexes connecting a body of water with a cumuliform
cloud. Somewhat weaker than land-based tornados, waterspouts do not suck
up water. The water seen in the main funnel cloud is actually droplets
formed by condensation.
Waterspouts have a five-part life cycle: formation of
a dark spot on the water’s surface, a spiral pattern on the surface,
formation of a spray ring, development of the visible condensation
funnel, and, ultimately, decay.
Waterspouts can be dangerous, however, and it is
advised that boaters steer clear of them.
Beachgoers, afraid the swirling cloud would come
ashore, quickly gathered up belongings and fled the sand. Jet ski and
boat operators also returned to shore.
As quickly as it appeared, the vortex disappeared.
Many Thais gave thanks to the Prince Chumphon statue at the Pattaya
Police Station, believing the legendary “father of the Thai navy” had
saved them.
