50kg Sea Turtle Found Stranded on Phuket's Patong Beach

PHUKET — September 3, 2026, A large sea turtle weighing more than 50 kilogrammes was found stranded and appearing exhausted on Patong Beach early on Thursday morning. At around 06:00, Jiraporn Wijit was walking along Patong Beach in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, when she spotted the sea turtle lying on the shore. The turtle appeared weak and fatigued, prompting Jiraporn to immediately alert lifeguards stationed at Patong Beach. Lifeguards quickly responded and moved the turtle away from the shoreline. They provided first aid and monitored its condition before contacting the Siritharn Rare Marine Animal Rescue Centre at the Upper Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre in Laem Phanwa, Wichit subdistrict, Muang Phuket district. The centre’s team is expected to take the turtle for a health check and medical assessment before providing appropriate treatment. Officials are currently waiting for the rescue centre team to arrive and collect the turtle. It will be cared for until it is healthy and strong enough to be released back into the wild.