A huge oil spill in Thailand has reached a popular beach area and the authorities have said it may threaten the resort island of Samet.

More than 100,000 litres have washed ashore on the coast of Rayong province's Mae Ramphung and Ban Kon Ao beaches - popular destinations for foreigners as well as local residents.

The authorities fear the accident will damage Thailand's tourism industry, and have complained they were not alerted to the accident until it was too late.

They are taking legal action against the owner of the Panama-registered oil tanker which crashed against a rock last week, causing the spill.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service