Monsters of the deep

The current "Monsters of the Deep" exhibition displays rare creatures from the world of the deepest oceans.

"As you know, three-quarters of the world's surface is covered with water. So there are many creatures down there we didn't know about before. There are exciting and mysterious things that we should learn about. So, the exhibition is like a big library where we can get new knowledge," says Wuthichai Ratanasuwawongs, CEO of Siam Ocean World in Bangkok.

The exhibition is divided into seven zones. There are both large and small creatures that defy imagination, such as the Giant Cockroach Monster, the Eight-Armed Monster, the Mucous Monster and the Deadly-Tentacles Monster. But the highlight of the show is a giant squid found in Australia.

"It's the biggest and most complete giant squid ever found in the world," says Wuthichai.

The animal is three metres long and is frozen in a huge block of ice weighing more than six tonnes. Giant squid normally live at a depth of about 400 metres. With their eight arms and two tentacles, they hook and suck prey and drag them to their death.

As for the Giant Cockroach Monster - or Deep Sea Isopod - for many people just hearing its name might be disgusting enough, making them want to jump on the sofa because of their loathing of the common household cockroach.

But again, don't be too frightened as the giant cockroach isn't as horrible to look at as you might imagine. Normally it lives at a depth of two kilometres and, when it is fully adult, weighs about two kilograms.

The Eight-Armed Monster - or Giant Spider Crab - walks like a robot on its long legs. It can grow up to four metres long.

The Deadly-Tentacles Monster - more commonly known as the octopus - releases a jet of ink to confuse predators. And some of the smallest octopuses, like the Blue Ring Octopus, have a toxic venom that causes death.

The Phuket Marine Biological Centre of the Marine and Coastal Department has contributed some of the displays of rare predators, some of which have not yet been classified.

Explore the thrills and mysteries of the deep ocean in Monsters of the Deep, daily from 9am to 10pm on the B1 floor of Siam Ocean World. Admission is Bt600 for children and Bt750 for adults.

For more information, call (02) 687 2000.

Suwicha Chanitnun

The Nation