A rare and exciting sight greeted beachgoers at Karon Beach yesterday morning (Jan 3) after a green sea turtle came ashore to lay eggs, drawing the attention of both Thai and foreign tourists.

The turtle was spotted at about 11am on Karon Beach. Witnesses watched as the large turtle slowly crawled up the beach before digging a nest and laying her eggs.

After completing the nesting process, the turtle used her hind flippers to cover the nest with sand, carefully smoothing the surface before returning to the sea.

Karon Beach lifeguards quickly secured the area, placing ropes and wooden markers around the nest to prevent disturbance from people or vehicles. The incident was then reported to Karon Municipality, which coordinated with marine specialists for further inspection.

Later in the afternoon, officials from the Rare and Endangered Marine Animals Group at the Upper Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center in Wichit inspected the nesting site. They confirmed the turtle was a green sea turtle and that the nest contained 124 eggs, all of which were viable.

An enclosure has since been constructed around the nesting area to protect the eggs from human interference and predators. Authorities are now considering the next steps, including whether the eggs should be left to hatch naturally at the site or relocated to a protected research facility for incubation and rehabilitation.

Green sea turtles are listed as an endangered species, and officials noted that successful nesting events on Phuket beaches are relatively rare. Marine authorities have urged the public to avoid disturbing nesting sites and to immediately notify officials if sea turtles are seen coming ashore.

https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourists-watch-as-turtle-lays-eggs-on-karon-beach-98800.php