The authorities in Thailand have rescued more than 6,000 rare turtles that had been captured in the wild and the authorities believe were due to be smuggled to Taiwan.

Five Thai nationals have been charged with trafficking in protected species.

Reports say the turtles, which had been packed into crates, were probably destined either for restaurant tables in Taiwan or for use as ingredients in traditional medicines.

Instead, the creatures will now be released back into the wild in western Thailand.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service