Thai authorities seize 600 smuggled deadly cobras

BANGKOK (AP) - Thai authorities have seized a pickup truck full of deadly cobras at a checkpoint in the country's central region.

They believe the snakes came from Malaysia and were destined for a third country for use in traditional medicine or human consumption.

Thai Customs chief Benja Louicharoen said on Tuesday that officials found 600 cobras worth about 500,000 baht (S$19,872) in mesh bags inside plastic baskets in the truck.

Officials arrested the Thai driver after the suspicious vehicle was stopped 210 km south of Bangkok.