A tourist was caught on camera stealing money from an unoccupied currency exchange in Pattaya.

The 'well-dressed' holidaymaker approached the booth before business hours at around 7 AM on March 24, knocking on the window to check for employees inside.

When he received no response, he then slipped his hand through a small opening on the glass barrier, and allegedly plucked a full coin tray containing around 800 baht (23 USD) from a desk before leaving.

Kiattisak Meeboon, 36, reported the incident to Pattaya police at 3:30 PM.

He said he arrived at the booth at 8 AM, and found that the coin box had disappeared.

He checked the surveillance cameras and discovered the foreigner, estimated to be around 30 to 40 years old, committing theft in broad daylight.

Kiattisak said he hoped the police could track down the suspect before he could commit another crime.

He said: 'The man was crazy to steal from the booth while there were numerous tourists and cars passing by. The surveillance footage showed his face clearly, so I hope police will catch him soon.'

Kiattisak said he had filed a police report and gave them the CCTV to try and trace the man.

Police Captain Manot Tipwet said: 'The shopkeeper has made a police report about the theft, so we are investigating the case. There were no other suspects and the shopkeeper did not recognise the man.

'We are currently trying to trace him using CCTV.'