The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reported that officers investigated the site at Karon Beach at about 8am, after receiving alerts from tourists and staff at the Karon Municipality Tourist Assistance Centre.
Officials from the Upper Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center and the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 10 found a single nest containing 125 eggs, each measuring about four centimetres in diameter. The turtle was identified as a green sea turtle, a protected species under Thai law.
According to officials, a number of tourists were present at the beach at the time, many witnessing a sea turtle laying eggs in the wild for the first time. Staff from Karon Municipality and local beach operators helped secure the area to prevent disturbance while the turtle nested.
Authorities said the turtle spent approximately 45 minutes laying eggs before covering the nest with sand and returning to the sea.
Because Karon Beach is a popular tourist destination and the nesting site was considered vulnerable to human interference, predators and possible flooding, officials decided to relocate the eggs to a secure conservation area to improve the chances of successful hatching.
The eggs were transferred to the Upper Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, where they will be carefully incubated and monitored by marine specialists. Scientific samples were also collected to assess the health of the eggs, monitor for disease and support long-term sea turtle conservation research.
DMCR officials described the nesting as a positive indicator of the health and abundance of Phuket’s coastal ecosystem, noting that sea turtles tend to return only to beaches they consider suitable and safe for reproduction.
“This discovery reflects the cooperation of all sectors in protecting Thailand’s marine and coastal resources,” officials said, adding that public awareness and responsible tourism play an important role in safeguarding nesting beaches.
The Karon Beach nest is the third confirmed sea turtle nest in Phuket already this year, all in the Karon area.
Officials reported that the first nest was found on Karon Beach on Jan 3, containing 124 eggs, while a second nest was discovered near Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort on Jan 10, with 84 eggs. Those earlier nests were located in areas assessed as safe from flooding and are currently under close monitoring.
Marine authorities are urging the public and beach operators to immediately report any sightings of nesting sea turtles or turtle tracks, and to avoid using lights, touching nests or approaching turtles during nesting, as disturbance can cause turtles to abandon their eggs.
Officials said continued cooperation from local communities and visitors will be key to ensuring the survival of hatchlings expected to emerge later this year.