A pair of tourists were caught on camera stealing a jar of cannabis from a shop in Thailand.

The foreigners were recorded on CCTV appearing to distract shop owner Khun Ing while plucking the product from a shelf in her store in Chiang Rai province on Christmas Day.

They allegedly went there to buy the LSD 25 strain of marijuana - now legal in the country - but took the chance to get some 'freebies' while the vendor was busy finding change at her register.

Footage shows how the male customer surreptitiously reached for a jar of weed worth up to 3,000 THB (around 86 USD) while Khun had her back turned. He then tried to hand it to his partner, who appeared to become angry with him for the theft.

When she stormed out the tourist stuffed the cannabis in his trousers and left after receiving his change.

Khun Ing said: ‘It almost felt like they were confusing me on purpose. They asked me to weigh the cannabis on a table that was located far from the jar.

'The guy came with me while his partner waited. He then gave me a 500 baht note and I had to get him some change, but the jar had disappeared after they left.

'I was shocked when I checked the surveillance footage and saw them taking it.'

The disappointed vendor said it was not the first time tourists had stolen from her, as she often catches them pilfering shop items when she is distracted.

She added: 'I try my best to welcome tourists. If the foreign couple does see the footage of them stealing in the news, I hope they come back and return the jar.'

Ministers in Bangkok removed cannabis from the list of narcotics in June this year leading to thousands of street stalls and shops opening around the country selling the plants. Locals are also allowed to grow cannabis at home to use and sell but smoking recreationally in public is technically illegal - despite many people doing so at bars and cafes.

Officials hope the move will boost the country's economy through marijuana's links to agriculture, medicine and tourism, but opponents claim the shift could cause long-term metal health problems among people who use it regularly.