The death of a sea turtle from consuming garbage has sparked concern in Thailand where the animals are much-loved. Environmentalists believe some of the trash may have come from a traditional lantern festival observed nationwide three weeks earlier.

The female turtle's carcass was found washed up on a beach in Chonburi province in the east of the country on Sunday. An autopsy showed that it died from consuming more than 2 kilograms of garbage, including fishing nets and metal clips.

The Loy Krathong Festival, which is famous for its floating lanterns, was held around the country earlier in November.

Metal clips are used to fix decorations to lanterns for the festival, and it is believed that they are the same as those that contributed to the sea turtle's death.

Environmentalists are calling for people not to throw anything into the water to prevent further loss of marine life.