PATTAYA, Thailand – Fisheries officials in Chonburi have confirmed that invasive Blackchin tilapia found near Pattaya Beach are capable of surviving in freshwater, brackish water, and seawater, following growing concern over the species appearing along the city’s coastline. The confirmation came after viral social media footage and reports from local fishermen prompted authorities to launch an urgent inspection along Pattaya Beach and surrounding coastal areas. At around 2 p.m. on May 14, Chonburi Fisheries Chief Nattapong Wannapat and officials from related agencies visited the shoreline where the fish were reportedly seen gathering in large numbers.
Officials also met with 40-year-old local fishing content creator ‘Start Ounkayen, whose viral video showed dozens of kilograms of Blackchin tilapia being caught with cast nets along Pattaya Beach.
Start told officials he had observed schools of the invasive fish swimming near the shore for several consecutive days and pointed out locations where they had been spotted. Authorities later inspected drainage canals, beachfront areas, and waters surrounding Bali Hai Cape using boats, nets, and cast nets, but found only common marine species including ponyfish and other local sea life during daytime operations.
Although no additional Blackchin tilapia were caught during the inspection, officials confirmed the species shown in the viral footage was genuine. Nattapong said recent heavy rain may have flushed the fish from canals and brackish water sources into the sea along Pattaya’s coastline. “Blackchin tilapia can survive in freshwater, brackish water, and seawater, but their most suitable habitat remains brackish water near canal mouths, which are considered high-risk areas for further spread,” he said.
Authorities noted that Blackchin tilapia have already been reported in several parts of Chonburi province, including Mueang district, Sri Racha, Banglamung, Pattaya, and Sattahip, with dense populations still concentrated near Banglamung canal areas and Tamru subdistrict. Officials warned the invasive species poses a potential threat to marine and freshwater ecosystems because it preys on smaller aquatic animals and may disrupt natural food chains. Fisheries authorities said monitoring and removal efforts will continue, with further control measures to be considered if the spread worsens in coastal areas around Pattaya.
