The reptile’s death at 10.10am (local time) today was announced by Nantarika Chansue, a veterinarian with Chulalongkorn University’s aquatic research centre here.

She was speaking to reporters who had been waiting for the latest update since news broke out on its deteriorating health, several days ago.

Nantarika and her team have been taking care of the 25-year-old Omsin since they performed a seven-hour surgery early this month to remove the coins lodged in her digestive tract.

News on the turtle’s surgery gained international media attention and efforts to nurse her back to health captivated readers of local newspapers, with Thais fervently hoping for its speedy recovery.

Before gaining international status, Omsin was kept in a pool in Chon Buri Province, where local people tossed coins for good luck.