An American tourist has been arrested for allegedly attacking fellow holidaymakers in Thailand.

Michael Doherty, believed to be around 60, allegedly began beating three motorists with a 30-inch wooden stick as they were passing through a road near Look Ton Mountain on Koh Chang island in Trat province on March 8, according to police.

The unidentified drivers, also foreigners enjoying their vacation, sustained minor injuries after they fell from their motorcycles.

Bystanders were too frightened to approach the American and called police to the scene to pacify him.

Patrol officers and Police Major Sittha Choket of the Koh Chang police said they negotiated with Doherty and convinced him to drop his weapon after 10 minutes.

He surrendered and was taken to the station without resisting. Cops said there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in his body.

Village council chief Termsak Sertsri said Doherty had been staying at a nearby resort on the island and could understand a bit of Thai.

He believed the outburst was a result of stress.

Termsak said: 'This is not like him. He has always been a good, well-behaved person. I don't know what caused him to do this, but I think he has been going through some stress which has made him do some bad things recently.'

Police urged the three riders to file complaints against the American man. He was questioned at the station.