Objects suspected mass ambergris 6kg

A fisherman in Koh Samui found a large yellow-brown object on the beach, most likely a rare ambergris worth up to $ 330,000.

Jamras Thiachote, a 55-year-old resident on the island of Koh Phaluay in Koh Samui district, discovered an object weighing 6kg on the beach on January 3 after Pabuk swept the area. At first, he did not know what this object was and left it in place. A relative of Mr. Thiachote searched on the Internet, confirmed that it was a block of ambergris, the fisherman decided to return to bring the object home.

Mr. Thiachote showed the mayor Wichawut Jinto the object found on the beach.(Photo: Bangkok Post).

This object looks like a block of rock or rubber block, yellow and brown, floating in water."When I cut it with a knife, I saw it smelled fishy for a moment," said Thiachote.

When the news spread, three villagers came to ask for a cut of 500g from the object and promised to help Mr. Thiachote determine whether it was ambergris or not."I haven't seen them say anything since then ," said Mr. Thiachote.

A forest manager in Koh Phaluay said that it is likely that Mr. Thiachote has found ambergris. If the information is confirmed, this large block of ambergris will be worth up to $ 330,000 (more than 7.6 billion dong). On October 22, Mr. Thiachote brought the object to Surat Thani governor Wichawut Jinto, who was visiting Koh Samui, to ask the authorities to appraise the object.

Ambergris is the fat secreted by the sperm whale that has become harder and harder over time, according to Tech Times . This is a valuable material used as medicine and perfume. When the oxidation causes water and air to evaporate from the excretory mass, ambergris produces an odor similar to cigarettes or the covering of plants. The duration of the oxidation determines the quality and value of ambergris.

Ambrein, a chemical component of ambergris, is used in the perfume industry to stimulate the sense of smell and prolong the scent. This is also the famous Chanel No. 5 perfume preparation.

Experts have yet to explain why ambergris is more common in the southern hemisphere and why only sperm whales produce this material. What makes ambergris become increasingly valuable and scarce is the number of sperm whales plummeting, currently only about 350,000 fish compared to 1.1 million before being caught.

1. Omani fishermen found ambergris 80kg for $ 3 million
2. Fishermen sell blocks of ambergris for $ 86,000