Phuket Turtle Tracked On Epic 2000 Kilometre Ocean Voyage

PHUKET: For the first time in Asia and only the second time anywhere, Phuket marine biologists have succeeded in tracking a turtle on its long travels around the Indian Ocean.

Dr Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, a specialist from the Phuket Marine Biology Centre at Cape Panwa in eastern Phuket, said the turtle had told his team much about the cyclical nature of their life and the mating and hatching processes.

''We fitted a modified version of a camera that can be bought in Phuket markets for 5000 or 6000 baht,'' he said. ''Then we used a satellite to follow it through a microchip.''

The turtle, wired for vision in May 2009, travelled 2000 kilometres around the Andaman Sea before eventually returning to hatch eggs in the Similan islands, off Phang Nga, the province north of Phuket.

What came back via the camera will enable biologists to learn more about feeding patterns, directions of travel and mating habits.

''We still hope to be able to eventually see more tutles breeding in the Andaman region,'' Dr Kongkiat said. ''The Similans is well-protected and the Royal Thai Navy makes sure the turtles there are not disturbed.''