Police have arrested one man and are hunting another for allegedly posing as forest rangers to catch wild baby monkeys in Thailand.

The search was launched after villagers spotted the pair transporting the animals on a pickup truck at the Wat Tham Khao Chum temple in Ratchaburi province on November 8.

Officials found the vehicle at the scene, with the two suspected poachers carrying a green net with a juvenile monkey inside. They were also hauling a sack onto the truck's cargo bed.

After spotting the law enforcers, the men tried to escape. The driver was caught, while the other managed to flee.

Police rescued three macaques placed in an animal crate and net bags. Fertilizer sacks containing fruits believed to be the monkeys' food were also seized.

The driver, Pasu Namto, 27, said: ‘I was only hired by the other guy who was sitting on the passenger's seat. I only know him by his first name, Bamrung.

'I don't know why he is catching monkeys. My only job is to drive and I get paid at different rates when I do the job each time.

'I dress like a forest official because I was ordered to. I had no intention of fooling the authorities.'

Lieutenant Colonel Saen Sam Khiao of the Muang Ratchaburi police station said: ‘We are suspicious of Pasu's testimony. We believe that the pair had been working together to sell the monkeys in neighbouring countries.

'Pasu has been detained and will be taken to Ratchaburi police station. We will track down and arrest Bamrung, who managed to flee.'

The suspects will be charged with possession of protected wildlife, while the three rescued macaques will be turned over to relevant agencies, he added.