Hundreds of protected tortoises and fish were seized from a wildlife smuggling ring in Thailand.

The live creatures were reportedly stuffed in styrofoam crates labelled as 'decorative fish' being shipped on a bus from the southern border town of Su-ngai Kolok near Malaysia.

Highway Police intercepted the vehicle on Highway 43 in Songkhla on Sunday, following a tip-off about the illegal wildlife haul.

During the inspection, they discovered three taped styrofoam boxes in the luggage compartment matching the description given by the informant. No passengers claimed ownership of the boxes.

They then opened the containers and found the exotic reptiles and fish stored inside. Officers said they seized 191 Indian star tortoises and 12 Asian arowanas.

Police Colonel Intarat Panya, superintendent of the Highway Police Division 7, said: ‘We handed the wildlife over to the inquiry officer of Chana Police Station in Songkhla to proceed with further legal action.

‘After that, we will investigate further to find and prosecute those involved.'

The bus driver Ananchai said the boxes had been dropped off by someone at the Su-ngai Kolok bus station for delivery to the Hat Yai district of Songkhla.

Authorities said they were investigating the source of the smuggled wildlife.

Indian star tortoises are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, while Asian arowana are listed as Endangered, and both species are included in CITES Appendix I.

Thailand is a key hub for wildlife smuggling due to its strategic location, with porous borders into other Southeast Asian countries.