A rampaging Egyptian tourist was arrested for allegedly attacking a Thai taxi driver and destroying his car.

Tourist Basem Aly Ismail, 31, had hired Thai cabbie Suriya Plodmai, 53, to drive him to his lodging, but allegedly went berserk upon arriving at their destination in Bang Tao, Phuket on March 22.

Shocking CCTV footage shows the man smashing up Suriya's taxi with rocks and a pipe as the terrified Thai driver looked on helplessly.

The crazed Egyptian man then continued his rampage and kicked a neighbour's motorcycle, but was reportedly beaten up by the two-wheeler's owner who was a boxer.

Basem was later seen leaving the scene wearing only a pair of shorts.

Police Captain Kajonkiat Khamwichairat of Cherng Talay Police Station said cops were notified at 10:30 pm and arrived to detain Basem, who was wandering the streets 'in a fit of frenzy'.

He said: 'The inquiry officer has questioned the taxi driver and recorded his statement as evidence to take legal action. The tourist was taken to a hospital for evaluation.'

Police found Suriya's car with its windscreen, windows, and rear windshield shattered.

The landlord Adisorn Sutthiniponnam said he called the police after hearing a commotion outside the building.

He said Basem had been renting a room until three days ago, and may have returned to retrieve the clothes he left behind.

Meanwhile, the Thai cabbie Suriya said he agreed to drive Basem from Patong Beach to Bang Tao for 450 baht.

He claimed Basem borrowed his phone to call a friend when they arrived, but refused to return it. Instead, the tourist allegedly slammed it against Suriya's other phone, leaving both devices - a Xiaomi 12 and Samsung A54 - damaged.

Police said investigations were ongoing.