From Beachcomber to Millionaire: The Whale's Gift

Recently, a woman from Thailand made headlines in her country after she became wealthy overnight thanks to a 'strange' lump she found on the beach near her home—estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The woman, named Siriporn Niyamrin, lives in the southern part of Thailand, in a region called Nakhon Si Thammarat.

In local media, Niyamrin shared that a foul smell led her to the unusual lump, prompting her to investigate. "I decided to take it home with me because I thought I might be able to sell it to someone. I had no idea what it was or that it could be worth so much money," she said.

So what is this mysterious material worth so much money? Experts have explained that this substance is commonly known as 'whale vomit,' although those in the know recognize it as gray amber (ambergris), which in various industries, particularly the perfume industry, might reach values of millions of dollars.

How to Get Rich in a Day: A $3.3 Million Ambergris Find

"Whale vomit is produced in its intestines to facilitate the passage of other substances," experts interviewed for the piece explained, which aired on local television. "The lump Niyamrin found could reach a value of $258,000."

"Once I sell the lump, I want to use the money to do good for the local community. In the meantime, I'm keeping it at my home, and I feel lucky to have found it," she remarked.

Interestingly, this is not the first time such a lump has been discovered on the beaches of Thailand.

In November 2021, a fisherman found another heavy and particularly valuable gray amber lump on the same beach, weighing 100 kg and earning its impoverished owner a legendary amount of $3.3 million.

For comparison, the lump Niyamrin found weighs only 7 kg.