Locals were shocked by tourists romping in the sea in Thailand.

The couple sparked outrage when they were spotted making out off Rawai Beach in Phuket on April 22, amid a recent spate of public sex acts on the island.

Video shows the pair kissing each other as they bobbed up and down on the shallows of the beach.

The outdoor tryst comes just days after another randy couple were seen having sex on a craggy cliff in Ao Yon Beach, also on Phuket, on April 21.

Under Section 388 of Thailand's Criminal Code, 'any person who performs such a disgraceful act in public by undressing himself, exhibiting his undressed person or committing any other act of obscenity shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred baht'.

Thailand has been on its knees economically following the collapse of tourism during the pandemic - leading to a push to attract more holidaymakers and boost the government coffers.

But officials have been dumbfounded by the number of tourists misbehaving, with ministers ordering local police forces to cut out bribes and prosecute anyone caught breaking the law.

Speaking about a case involving a Swiss man accused of kicking a Thai woman, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said 'Don't let lobbying happen. Hold a press conference to confirm your stance that you will not let bribe-taking happen to have the case overturned.'