Tiger cubs rescued in Thai smuggling plot

Police in Thailand discovered 16 tiger cubs in the back of a pick-up truck, after the driver tried to avoid a highway checkpoint.

The driver told police he was paid 15,000 baht (£300) to deliver the cubs from a Bangkok suburb to northeastern Udon Thani province on the border with Laos.

Thailand is a hub of the international black market for protected animals and wildlife parts, often used for traditional East Asian medicines.

The driver could face a four-year jail term and 40,000 baht (£800) fine on wildlife smuggling-related charges.

The cubs were taken away to be cared for by wildlife officials.

Katy Hastings reports.