This is the moment an Algerian tourist stole a valuable Buddhist amulet from a gold shop in Thailand.

The suspect, identified by officers as 'Garou', 56, pretended to be a customer browsing accessories at the Yong Seng Heng gold shop in Bangkok on February 15.

He was seen on CCTV footage inquiring about jewellery before plucking the amulet from a case while the staff were distracted. He then walked out of the shop without buying anything.

Store owner Samatya Rattana-ubonchai only noticed the missing amulet later that evening while doing inventory, and discovered from surveillance camera footage that the Algerian man had allegedly stolen it.

She filed a report with the Chana Songkhram Police Station, with officers from the Children and Women Protection locating Garou at a hotel in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon District on February 19.

The Algerian was detained while he was packing his clothes to fly back to his home country. Tucked among his belongings was Samatya's stolen amulet.

Aided by an interpreter, Garou reportedly admitted to the theft of the item, that was worth around 20,000 Baht (560 USD).

Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem, superintendent of the Chana Songkhram Children and Women Protection, said: 'The suspect admitted to stealing the property from Yong Seng Heng gold shop.

'After being formally charged by the police and informed of his rights, he was taken to the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division to record his arrest.

'Then, he was handed over to the inquiry officer at Chana Songkhram Police Station for further legal proceedings.'

Police said Garou had been flying between Thailand and Algeria multiple times, and suspected he had also stolen from other jewellery shops before.

Garou was detained at the Chana Songkhram Police Station pending legal action.