Beachgoers helped return a stranded dolphin back to the ocean.

The tourists found the 5ft (1.5 metres) striped dolphin weighing 9.4 st (60kg) lying in the shallows at a beach in Koh Kho Khao island, Phang Nga province, Thailand when they did the DIY rescue mission on October 29.

Footage shows visitors instructing each other on how to safely pull the dolphin into the deeper part of the water.

They gently dragged the marine creature by the tail amid strong waves that swept the shore until it reached a depth where it could swim away.

It fought through the large waves but successfully glided back into the sea.

C and N Kho Khao Beach resort owner Nithra said: 'Tourists helped carry the dolphin and braved strong currents to release it into the sea.'

The locals believe that the dolphin was separated from its group and was too exhausted to swim through the currents.

She said: 'The waves were too heavy that day, but everyone helped to bring it back to safety.'

The province experienced heavy winds that day due to a storm and northwesterly wind covering the Andaman Sea and the west coast of southern Thailand.

Kongkiat Kittiwatanawong, an expert from the Marine and Coastal Resources Research & Development Institute, identified the dolphin as a striped dolphin.

He said: 'This species is protected under Thailand's Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.'

The species is listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List but is part of protected animals under Appendix II of CITES.

The striped dolphin is a marine mammal known for its distinctive colouration and social behaviour. It typically has a blue, white, or pink underside and features black bands that circle the eyes and extend across the back to the flippers.

It can grow up to 7.9 ft (2.4 metres) for females and 8.5 ft (2.6 metres) for males. Females typically weigh around 23.4 st (150 kg), while males weigh about 24.8 st (160 kg).