A down-and-out British backpacker was arrested for allegedly doing drugs on a tourist island in Thailand.

The shirtless Englishman, Nicholas James Hartas, 47, was arrested in front of a 7-Eleven store in Pantip Market on Koh Pha Ngan island in Surat Thani province, on April 17. 

He was holding up a sign that read: 'If you can. Please! Money for food.'

Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit of the tourist police said Nicholas was wanted in neighbouring Koh Samui island for allegedly possessing and using methamphetamine and overstaying his visa.

They arrested him this week when he allegedly failed to show up for a previous court hearing.

The officer said: 'The suspect was taken to the Koh Pha Ngan Police Station for further legal proceedings after he was informed of the charges against him.'

The Briton allegedly confessed to the charges and said he had resorted to begging for food after fleeing from the authorities in Koh Samui.

Locals who frequently saw him claimed he used most of the donations from kind locals to buy more drugs.

Nicholas was detained at the Koh Pha Ngan police station for prosecution. He was charged with violating Thailand's Begging Control Act, which carries a punishment of up to one month in jail, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.

According to Thai law, possession of methamphetamine, a category 1 drug, carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit added: 'The visa offence means that the suspect can be deported to his home country.'