A lifeguard patrolling the sands spotted the turtle at about 12:45pm and called for fellow lifeguards to help cut it free, said Phuket Life Guard Service Co Ltd (PLGS) consultant Prathaiyut Chuayuan.
“The turtle was very lucky. It was not hurt or injured,” he told The Phuket News. “The lifeguards rescued it before the net could damage a flipper or any other part of the turtle – or worse, it could have died.”
The rescue was particularly timely, as Phuket lifeguards underwent special training in rendering assistance to endangered local marine life in distress only last week, Mr Prathaiyut explained.
“The training is good for us,” he said. “Lifeguards are often the first to find marine animals that need help, such as dolphins that try to beach themselves.”