Yellow-band disease ravages Thailand's coral reefs — in pictures

Scientists fear the outbreak is getting worse because of climate change

This photo taken on December 22, 2022 shows an outbreak of yellow-band disease on a coral formation off the coast of Samae San island in Sattahip district in the coastal Thai province of Chonburi. - Underneath Thailand's calm turquoise seas, Thai scientists are frantically studying a highly infectious disease that is killing the kingdom's vital corals -- and threatening the local tourist economy. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) / To go with 'THAILAND-ENVIRONMENT-CORALS-DISEASE,FOCUS' by Montira RUNGJIRAJITTRANON

A marine biologist from Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources surveying an outbreak of yellow-band disease

The disease was spotted for the first time off Thailand's east coast last year and has spread over almost 240 hectares

Lalita Putchim, a specialist in coral biology, says she has 'not seen anything like this before'

Marine biologists and volunteers from Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources survey an outbreak of yellow-band disease

A pufferfish off the coast of Samae San island in Sattahip district in the coastal Thai province of Chonburi

The highly infectious disease is killing the Thailand's corals and threatening the local tourist economy

Thai scientists hope their investigation into this outbreak will help find a way to stop or cure yellow-band disease

Thai marine researchers prepare a dive to inspect corals in Chonburi district

Local boat owners rely on income from tourists who come to see the area's natural beauty – especially the coral reefs

More from The National:

Coastal erosion at Perce Rock in Canada — in pictures

The world in 2023: Changing politics, increased travel and the ailing global economy

Our top holidays of 2022 — from paragliding in the Swiss Alps to swimming in the Amazon

Exhibition of seized artefacts opens at Cairo’s Prince Muhammad Ali Museum

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe 'won't let anger' eat her up nine months after Iran ordeal