A British tourist was arrested and police are searching for one other for allegedly exchanging fake Euro bills for local currency at exchange booths in southern Thailand.

Tobias William Scutt Drew, 33, from Chertsey, Surrey, allegedly scammed money changer Janjira Laolang, 50, by handing over 1,000 Euros worth of fake banknotes in exchange for 37,850 THB in Phuket on February 5.

However, the Thai woman learned a day later that the money was allegedly fake and reported Tobias to the police.

Police Lieutenant Chapinya Suriyathammakul of the Sakhu Police Station said officers were able to track down and arrest Tobias at his hotel on Phuket on February 7.

The suspect was allegedly found with 89 counterfeit 200-Euro bills, and around 205,000 GBP worth of real money.

Tobias said he had entered Thailand for a holiday on December 2, 2023, and extended his stay on January 31.

He said he met another British man Ozeias Da Silva, 45, from London, on the island and wired him around 1.24 million THB in cryptocurrency in exchange for cash, including the fake bills which he had changed at Janjira's booth.

Police Lieutenant Chapinya said: 'Before he was arrested, Tobias had also exchanged fake banknotes worth 1,000 Euros in the areas of Kamala and Choeng Thale.

'The other British man had been staying at the MBC Condotel and was also found to have exchanged forged bills in Tha Chatchai. He has already fled Thailand. We are currently continuing follow-up operations to secure his arrest.'

Meanwhile, police said Tobias was held in custody and questioned over 'knowingly using items known to be counterfeited or altered'.

He has denied the accusations and has been released while the investigation continues.