Releasing Bamboo Sharks at Pullman Phuket Panwa
On 30 August 2026, the Andaman Surprise team spent a day on the beach at Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort at Cape Panwa. We joined two activities: an eco-friendly workshop making shark-shaped sachets from upcycled batik fabric, and a conservation project releasing young bamboo sharks back into the sea.
The day was led by the Pullman Panwa team and the YÁYEE team, and we were invited by Infinity Journey (เผือกอยากเที่ยว). We are grateful to all three.
Making shark-shaped sachets from batik
The YÁYEE team brought the materials and ran the workshop. Each guest made a small scented sachet in the shape of a shark, sewn from leftover batik fabric that would otherwise be thrown away.
It was a quiet, focused few hours. Most of the room was concentrating on small stitches, and nobody minded. Giving old fabric a second use is a simple example of what upcycling means in practice.
Releasing bamboo sharks back into the sea
After the workshop, we walked down to the water for the release. Staff carried the young bamboo sharks to the shallows in tubs, and guests gathered on the beach to watch them go. Pullman Phuket Panwa holds releases like this as part of its own marine conservation work, and it opened the beach to us as a partner for the day.
Bamboo sharks are small, bottom-dwelling sharks that are harmless to people. They are very different from the blacktip reef sharks that have returned to Maya Bay, which we wrote about in our report on the Maya Bay blacktip shark count. Both stories show the same thing: healthy sharks mean a healthy sea.
Why this matters to a tour company
The Andaman Sea is the reason our tours exist. Every guest who joins our Phi Phi Island and Bamboo Island tour or our James Bond Island and Panyee Island tour comes for that water.
Looking after it is not a one-day activity for us. It is part of how we run every trip, from teaching guests the rules for visiting Phi Phi to following the closures that let places like Maya Bay recover. Our responsible travel guide explains what we ask of guests and what they can expect from us.
Thank you
- Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort for the space and for holding a warm, welcoming day.
- The YÁYEE team for the batik materials and for leading the workshop.
- Infinity Journey (เผือกอยากเที่ยว) for inviting us.
Bamboo shark release: frequently asked questions
Where did the bamboo shark release take place?
It took place at Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort at Cape Panwa, on the southeast tip of Phuket, on 30 August 2026.
Who organised the activities?
The release was led by Pullman Phuket Panwa. The sachet workshop was led by the YÁYEE team, and Infinity Journey (เผือกอยากเที่ยว) invited Andaman Surprise to take part.
Are bamboo sharks dangerous?
No. Bamboo sharks are small, bottom-dwelling sharks that are harmless to people.
