Authorities in Thailand have arrested five men for allegedly trying to smuggle elephants into the country.
Authorities today said the men three Thai and two Burmese were arrested for attempting to smuggle two elephants from Burma to Thailand by boating across the Salween River.
The Thailand News Agency says the men were arrested after failing to show a certificate of purchase and other required documents.
The news agency said the suspects told authorities they had purchased the elephants for about 14,000 dollars each and planned to resell them to Thai investors.
Some animal rights groups have said elephants used at Thailand's circuses have been smuggled in across the Burma-Thailand border.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.
