Thai man arrested 'trying to smuggle' 16 tiger cubs

One of the tiger cubs found on the truck driver's back seat Credit: APTN

A truck driver was arrested in northern Thailand after 16 tiger cubs were found on his back seat.

The driver, Faren Kongfu, told police he had been paid 15,000 Thai baht (£303) to transport the animals from Nonthaburi Province, north of Bangkok, to Udon Thani Province in the country's northeast.

Police believe the tiger cubs, aged between one and two years old, were destined to be exported out of Thailand.

Kongfu faces a maximum punishment of four years in prison or a fine of 40,000 Thai baht (£809).

Police believe the cubs were destined to be exported out of Thailand Credit: APTN

The tiger cubs are currently being looked after by National Park and Wildlife officials in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand.