A fisherman watched a friendly whale shark swim near his boat in calm seas.

Mana Palaket, 28, sailed to sea in the morning to harvest crab from his traps when he had a moving encounter with a marine mammal in Trat province, Thailand, on October 15.

Footage shows the animal gliding near the surface of the water, visibly roaming near the vessel of Mana.

The local said he was looking for squid after he had emptied the crab traps five nautical miles from shore when the gentle giant emerged at 6 am.

He said: 'I was extremely excited. I have been fishing for ten years, but it was the first time I have seen a whale shark.

'It was so big but so friendly. The experience was humbling. I started to record the video while it swam near my boat. It was a once in a lifetime event.'

Mana added that while tourists come to specific spots to watch the species, his encounter with the animal happened by chance.

He said: 'It was a sign of good fortune, so I will buy a lottery ticket to try my luck.'

Whale sharks are the largest species of fish in the world, known for their distinct characteristics and gentle nature. They are classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to various threats, including fishing, habitat loss, and climate change. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats.