Piggy Bank the Turtle: The Hidden Cost of Human Good Luck

In Sriracha, Thailand, a green sea turtle named Omsin, meaning Piggy Bank in Thai, became the centre of global attention for a heartbreaking reason. Tourists visiting her pond would toss coins into the water for good fortune, unaware that this simple act was slowly killing her.

Over the years, Omsin accidentally swallowed these coins. The metal built up inside her stomach until it formed a 5-kilogram mass, nearly one-tenth of her body weight. The weight made it impossible for her to swim, dive, or eat properly, and her life was in serious danger.

The surgery that saved her life

Image credit: Touch The Heart | Facebook page

Veterinarians at Chulalongkorn University performed a seven-hour operation to remove the coins from Omsin’s body. The procedure was extremely delicate because the coins had corroded and fused together, pressing painfully on her internal organs. After the last coin was removed, the medical team revealed a massive metallic lump larger than a bowling ball, created from years of misplaced human belief in “luck.”

Omsin was then placed under intensive care and monitored for several weeks. Thankfully, her recovery went well, and her story began to spread worldwide. People were shocked to learn how one small tradition could cause so much harm to marine life.

What her story teaches travellers

Image credit: Touch The Heart | Facebook page

Omsin’s experience became a powerful reminder that tossing coins into ponds, lakes, or fountains is not as harmless as it seems. Metals release toxins when submerged in water, and animals often mistake shiny objects for food, leading to severe injuries or even death. As one of her veterinarians said, “This is not making merit. This is sinning.”

For travellers, Omsin’s story is a call for responsible tourism. Real good fortune does not come from throwing coins or making wishes...it comes from protecting and respecting nature. The next time you visit a temple pond, beach, or marine park, remember Omsin. Her story teaches that kindness is not in what we wish for, but in how we care for the world we are lucky enough to explore.