PHANG NGA, THAILAND – Thai authorities launched a manhunt for a tourist filmed feeding a rubber band to a sea turtle in the Similan Islands National Park.
Shocking act underwater
Thai tourist Supawinee Tangphithak recorded the incident during a dive in the marine park. The footage showed an unidentified holidaymaker handing a yellow rubber band to a sea turtle. The unsuspecting animal swallowed the item immediately and swam away, despite prior warnings from the tour guide to all visitors.
“I could not intervene because I only noticed the incident later in the video,”
said Supawinee Tangphithak, the shocked witness.
Rescue mission for the injured turtle
The National Park Authority responded at once and dispatched a team to search for the turtle. Using unique markings on the shell and front flipper, staff identified the animal and transferred it to the Phuket Marine Biological Center. Specialists there examined the turtle and worked to remove the rubber band before it could cause the animal’s death.
Authorities track suspected offender
Officials cooperated with the tour agency to identify the tourist seen in the video, noting that his facial features were clearly visible.
“The perpetrator will face legal consequences,”
said the national park management, adding that penalties could be severe. The case followed a recent incident in which a foreign visitor fed chips to monkeys in Monkey Bay in Krabi.
Warning to all visitors
The park administration issued an appeal to tourists to keep their distance from wildlife, stressing that feeding animals is strictly forbidden. They urged tour operators to enforce the rules more strictly, warning that such behavior damaged Thailand’s image as a nature paradise. Even minor carelessness could be deadly for animals, as the rubber band might block the turtle’s intestines.
Marine park under pressure
The Similan Islands were described as one of Thailand’s most protected marine parks, home to a unique underwater ecosystem. Authorities said reckless tourists repeatedly endangered local wildlife and announced tighter controls in the park. For the rescued turtle, it had become a race against time, with its survival depending on ongoing veterinary efforts.
Potential fines and prison time
If arrested, the alleged offender would face high fines and could even receive a prison sentence under Thai conservation laws. Thailand had increasingly tightened enforcement of environmental regulations as its reputation as an eco-tourism destination came under scrutiny. The case was seen as a signal to all visitors to respect nature and adhere strictly to wildlife protection rules.