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Thai Muang Turtle Sanctuary

Turtle sanctuary at Phang Nga Fisheries Research and Development Centre

The most famous Khao Lak tours usually include Elephant Trekking and waterfalls, but why not take a step off the beaten track and try something different? The Thai Muang Turtle Sanctuary is a wonderful attraction for visitors of all ages.

The Andaman Sea is home to four species of turtle, the most common are Hawksbill and Green turtles, though occasionally there are sightings of Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles.

The white sandy beaches of the Similan Islands and the Phang Nga coastline are important nesting areas for both Hawksbill and Green Turtles. The nesting season runs from October to March, peaking from mid November to mid January. There are important nesting sites at both the Similan Islands and Surin Islands. On the Phang Nga coastline not far from Khao Lak there are also nesting sites at Thai Muang Beach and on the beaches of Koh Phra Thong.

Snorkeling with a turtle at the Similan Islands

Turtles are a popular attraction at the Similan Islands, yet are still endangered

Like other turtle species found around the world, their numbers are in serious decline in the Andaman Sea. The main factors contributing to this are egg poaching, over fishing, pollution, habitat degradation and being caught by fishermen as bycatch. This is despite the fact that all four turtle species are protected under Thai Law.

Thai Muang Turtle Sanctuary

The Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre run a turtle sanctuary in nearby Thai Muang. Thai Muang is located approximately 30km south from Khao Lak on Highway 4.

Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre

Welcome to the …..

The Centre was established in 1985 as the Phang Nga Mollusk Culture Research Centre to produce cockles, oyster seeds and shrimp larvae. In 2002 the centre was upgraded to the Coastal Fisheries Research Centre.

A Visit to the Turtle Sanctuary

While visiting Khao Lak and looking for something fun and educational for the whole family to enjoy, the Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre is an excellent choice. It is open to visitors daily and is free to enter.

There are numerous large concrete saltwater holding tanks where guests can view different hatches of turtles. Through their first few vulnerable months the juvenile turtles stand a much better chance of survival at the sanctuary, as they are safe and away from predators. They are kept at the turtle sanctuary until they reach a minimum age of eight months old. After this point, for a donation to the research centre, visitors can release a turtle into the sea.

Juvenile turtles in the turtle sanctuary

Turtles, turtles, turtles

There are even rehabilitation tanks for sick or injured turtles as well as a large tank that houses a saltwater crocodile found in a nearby village.

As well as turtles, the centre reserves many tanks for their Anemone fish breeding programme. There are numerous species on show including the popular Anemone Clownfish, known more affectionately as Nemo. Clownfish spawn easily in captivity, providing they have a good environmental habitat and suitable nutritious feed. There are many other tropical fish species bred and researched at the centre, all of which can be viewed by the public.

Juvenile turtles in the turtle sanctuary

Kids love the young turtles

Not all the anemone fish are sold to the aquarium trade. After becoming acclimatised to living in host anemones and being trained to feed on natural food, the anemone fish are released into the sea.

How to Get to the Turtle Sanctuary

The Phang Nga Fisheries Research and Developement Centre is easily accessible from Khao Lak. All buses heading south on highway 4 and that stop at Khao Lak will also stop in Thai Muang. A private taxi from Khao Lak should cost approximately 000THB for the round trip. If you are proficient on a motorbike it is easy to find the centre if you wish to make your own way there.

Turtle Facts

Olive Ridley

Olive Ridley's TurtleLepidochelys olivacea

Description:
The smallest of Thai turtles.
Juveniles are charcoal grey while the adults are a dark grey green

Size:

Length:
62-70cm

Weight:
71-100lbs

Life span:
Approximately 50 years

Food:
Omnivore diet of crustaceans, mollusks, tunicates, fish, crabs and shrimp

Nesting:
Beaches of the Andaman Sea

Did you know?
Male Olive ridley’s can be distinguished from females by their tales which stick out beyond their shell

Green Turtle

Green Turtle - Chelonia mydasChelonia mydas

Description:
A large weighty sea turtle with a wide, smooth shell. Named after the green colour of its skin. they usually have a brown or olive shell.

Size:
Length up to 150cm

Weight:
Up to 700lbs

Life span:
Over 80 years

Food:
Herbivorous, feeding on sea grasses and algae. Juveniles will also eatinvertibrates like crabs, jellyfish and sponges

Nesting:
the most common turtle to nest on Thailand’s beaches

Did you know?
Like other sea turtles, the Green turtle can not pull it’s head into it’s shell

Turtle Sanctuary Gallery

Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries and turtle sanctuary
Get close up with turtles
Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre
Welcome to the …..
Anemone Clownfish pens at the Fisheries Centre
Tanks of Clownfish for the Kids

Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries and turtle sanctuary
Almost ready for the Andaman Sea
Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries and turtle sanctuary
Hello turtles
Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries and turtle sanctuary
Approaching the age for release

Injured turtle under go rehabilitation
An injured turtle recovers in the sanctuary
Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries and turtle sanctuary
Large tanks for the turtles
Turtle feeding
Feeding procedures

Turtle feeding
Fish food for the young turtles
Turtle sanctuary at Phang Nga Fisheries Research and Development Centre
Turtle submerges
Info about Ridley's Turtle
Info about Ridley’s Turtle

Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries and turtle sanctuary
Wonderful Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries
Model Leatherback Turtle
Model Leatherback Turtle
Children at the Phang Nga Fisheries Centre
A great day our for children

Information at the Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Centre
Also an educational day out
Juvenile turtles in the turtle sanctuary
Turtles in the sanctuary enjoy a safe start to life
Juvenile turtles
A turtle lovers dream

Juvenile turtles in the turtle sanctuary
Youngest additions to the centre
turtle facts at the Fisheries Centre in Thai Muang
Learn about turtles
Information at the Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Centre
Info available at the Fisheries Centre

Crocodile at the Fisheries centre in Phang Nga
The centre provides shelter to other reptiles as well
Young turtle in the turtle sanctuary
Freshly hatched turlte
Injured turtle under go rehabilitation
Injured turtles under go rehabilitation

Fisheries Research and Development Centre Responsibilities

  • Research coastal aquaculture
  • Inspect fisheries products
  • Control standards for hatcheries and farming
  • Certify movement documents for marine fry and shrimp products
  • Enhance natural stocks through the hatchery process and restocking program
  • Produce seed supply to support farmers in the local area
  • To conserve threaten and endangered marine species
The Centre is also responsible for protecting the nesting sites on Thai Muang’s beaches from poaching by the local villagers. Although the Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Developement Centre is a government agency under the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, funding for the turtle sanctary is tight. The centre generates extra income through anemone fish breeding programs for the aquarium fish trade and through donations.

Turtle Sanctuary Contact Details

Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre
164 Moo 9 Thai Muang,
Phang Nga 82120 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 76 432 212
Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Website

Mountain Biking Tour that includes a visit to the Thai Muang Turtle Sanctuary

The Thai Muang Turtle Sanctuary features on the Thai Muang Turtles and Waterfalls Mountain Biking Tour.

Sep 6, 2013Eike Schneider
Khao Lak Online August 2013 Round UpPad Krapow Thai Cooking
Eike Schneider

Eike originally comes from East Germany and moved and settled in Khao Lak in August 2007. As well a her work at the Orchid Resort, Eike runs a Similan snorkeling liveaboard with her husband Ralf. Therefore Eike is no stranger to turtles, they are a huge attraction on her Similan snorkeling liveaboard.

9 years ago Conservation, Nature, Things to Dogeo:lat=8.419108217214985, geo:lon=98.2418167591095, geotagged, Thai Mueang, Thung Kha Ngok15,014

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