Massage parlour owner distraught after theft of her pet turtles

Chutima Phuttsichat, owner of Maxi’s Thai Massage parlour at Jape Homemaker Village, Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory, is distraught after her beloved turtles, Lucky and Money, were turtle-napped on Friday afternoon. “Every day I bring bucket and put the turtles in the sun for two hours,” she said.

“Please give them back. I’m very sad they’ve been taken ... I love them.” Ms Phuttsichat bought the pair three years ago just after opening her business as they are a symbol of good fortune in Thai culture. The pair usually live in a tank inside the business but are put outside to catch a few rays in the afternoon.



Over the last three years she has seen them grow from tiny little things to about 10cm and was devastated they were now missing. Darren Chidgey from a neighbouring business believed whoever had picked up Lucky and Money in their bucket has done so “in good faith.” “(Ms Phuttsichat) came to me (on Friday) and said ‘the turtles are gone’.”

“I’ve stopped a couple of people trying to take them over the years,” he said. “One time this guy picked them up thinking they were abandoned and I had to say ‘no, they’re pets out here to get the sun’. The day before (they were taken) I said to a lady please don’t touch them. I’m sure whoever has taken them has done it in good faith. They’re funny little things, as soon as they see you they hide their heads away.”