A British DJ has been arrested for illegally working as a tour guide as police lead a sweeping crackdown on foreigners in Thailand.

Ryan Ashley Horner, 34, was detained outside a Buddhist temple on the island of Phuket on March 7.

Police Colonel Pisit Sawadtaworn of Tourist Police Division 3 said the Brit was moonlighting as a tour guide - a profession that is reserved for locals.

The cop said: 'The suspect was charged with working in a prohibited occupation, that of a tour guide.

'He was handed over to Karon Police Station for further legal action.'

The astonishing crackdown on foreigners comes following an alleged attack by Swiss businessman Urs Beat Fehr, 45, on a Thai woman who was sitting on his beachfront garden steps in Phuket.

Urs, who runs an elephant sanctuary, was arrested and has since had his visa revoked.

Officers in that region alone have arrested at least 20 in recent days and ministers have warned 'guests in the country' to behave.

On the neighbouring island of Koh Samui, British tourist Peter Hull, 44, was arrested for drugs offences on March 1.

In that case, Police Major Pasathorn Saenyindee of Surat Thani Immigration Bureau said: 'The British man was arrested for possession of drugs.

'He has been charged with illegal possession of Category I and II narcotics, as well as overstaying for 58 days.

'I want to add that there is no escape for law-breakers. Everybody is so very tired of foreigners who abuse our country and its laws.

'There will be no leniency and no more easy ways to negotiate with police. We're making sure the bad guys get out.'