An exhausted green sea turtle was rescued by beachgoers after it collapsed on the sand.

The 3ft-long turtle, believe to be around five years old, was washed ashore on the beach in Songkhla, southern Thailand last Saturday (November 23) afternoon.

Concerned locals carried it back to the sea but the turtle did not swim away. Instead, it walked slowly back to the shore.

Residents thought that the turtle might have been injured so they contacted officers from the Marine And Coastal Resource Research Centre for advice.

The turtle was taken to a house near the beach in the basket filled with sea water while locals try to nurse it back to health until it can be released.

Wichit Samran said: ''The turtle hardly had enough strength to stand. It was so weak, it was struggling to walk.

''We put it into a bucket and asked for advice from the government. When the turtle is stronger we will try again to release him.''

An exhausted green sea turtle was rescued by beachgoers after it collapsed on the sand.

The 3ft long turtle, believe to be around five years old, was washed ashore on the beach in Songkhla, southern Thailand last Saturday (23/11) afternoon.

Concerned locals carried it back to the sea but the turtle did not swim away. Instead, it walked slowly back to the shore.

Residents thought that the turtle might have been injured so they contacted officers from the Marine And Coastal Resource Research Centre for advice.

The turtle was taken to a house near the beach in the basket filled with sea water while locals try to nurse it back to health until it can be released.

Wichit Samran said: ''The turtle hardly had enough strength to stand. It was so weak, it was struggling to walk.

''We put it into a bucket and asked for advice from the government. When the turtle is stronger we will try again to release him.''