Thailand Tiger Temple: Buddhist monk caught fleeing temple with tiger skins and fangs

The truck was carrying more than 700 vials containing tiger skin, as well as tiger teeth hidden in a suitcase

Thai police have caught a monk trying to leave the infamous Tiger Temple in a truck carrying tiger skins and teeth.

The Buddhist temple was raided on Monday following international pressure over suspected animal trafficking abuse.

Authorities found the bodies of 40 dead tiger cubs in a freezer at the temple as well as 20 glass jars containing baby tigers and tiger organs.

A Thai wildlife official displays carcasses of dead tiger cubs found during a raid at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand (EPA)

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has been transferring 137 live tigers, mostly adults, from the temple to animal shelters.

Two men in the truck carrying the skins were arrested and charged with possession of illegal wildlife, while the monk travelling with them will be arrested once he is defrocked.

The truck was carrying more than 700 vials containing tiger skin, as well as tiger teeth hidden in a suitcase.

Parts of tigers are used in traditional Chinese medicine and such vials are typically used as good luck charms.

Thai wildlife officials using a tunnel of cages to capture a tiger and remove it from an enclosure at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi province (AFP/Getty)

"I am quite shocked," Teunchai Noochdumrong, director of the government's wildlife conservation office, said.

"We all have heard concerns and allegations about this temple. I would never have thought they would be so blatant."

The temple in Kanchanaburi province, in western Thailand, is a popular tourist attraction that charged admission for visitors to take photos with tigers.

It has been criticized by animal rights activists because of allegations it is not properly set up to care for the animals and flouted regulations restricting the trade of tigers.

Additional reporting by agencies