During its opening ceremonies the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa and the Minor Hotel Group donated 45,000US dollar to start the foundation.

Mai Khao is one of the few Phuket beaches that continue to welcome nesting turtles. The eggs are rescued from surrounding beaches where the necessary natural and peaceful environment can no longer be guaranteed.

The eggs are the given to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) and Royal Thai Navy who provide a safe home for the eggs to hatch and the young turtles to gain strength before finding their true home in the Sea, the foundation funds these programs.

Over the recent years, the Foundation has broadened its environmental efforts to not only ensure the conservation of the leatherback and other turtles but also to preserve the
environment with the involvement of local communities, schools, universities, government organizations and other NGO’s.

The MKMTF is dedicated to educating the Phuket and Thailand community about the plight of the sea turtles here in Phuket and how we can support them. Efforts by the Foundation and its supporters include an integrated coastal management plan with its partner the International Union for the Conservation of Nature including beach and reef cleaning, educational workshops, recycling projects, mangrove tree planting, turtle rescue/release and support of other marine conservation organizations.

Funds are raised for the foundation by its members and partners such as JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Marriott Vacation Club International and Anantara Hotels and Resorts who ensure a sizable annual donation to those Marine Conservation Units which ensures many worthy projects such as the Nesting Beach Patrols & Hatchery Program including the Marine Animal Stranding Rescue Project to help bring awareness of turtle protection and
encourage the participation of all stakeholders to preserve our natural surroundings.