Japanese tourist arrested at Thai airport 'trying to smuggle scorpions, spiders, beetles, ants, centipedes and frogs'

A Japanese tourist was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle protected wildlife through an airport in Thailand.

The passenger was detained at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok after authorities found Asian forest scorpions, whip scorpions, tarantulas, spiders, whip spiders, beetles, ants, centipedes, and frogs packed in five cardboard boxes in his luggage on July 16.

Authorities said the wildlife were protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and were worth an estimated 100,000 THB (2,150 GBP).

The Japanese man, who was bound for Tokyo, was arrested for 'attempting to export items without following customs procedures' and 'trying to export controlled wild animals out of the country without permission.'

Last December, a Taiwanese tourist was caught at the same airport trying to smuggle two otters and a prairie dog stuffed in his pants.

Security officers noticed the huge bulge in the 22-year-old man's trousers and pulled him aside for an inspection.

Body scans later revealed the hidden wildlife taped to his underwear.