An underwear thief was overcome with post-theft clarity - returning the stolen g-string with an apology letter.

The suspect pulled up in an SUV before rummaging through the laundrette washing machines and making off with a skimpy black thong in Pattaya, Thailand.

But the owner was baffled when the worn knickers were returned a few hours later complete with a handwritten note and 1,000 Baht (23 GBP) in compensation tucked inside.

The guilt-wracked letter pleaded for forgiveness and asked the owner not to report the bizarre incident to police.

But shop owner Kai, 42, took the evidence to officers at the Pattaya City Police Station where a case was opened on November 11.

She said: 'Finding an apology letter and the money was very strange. I think the man realised what he had done and then felt guilty and worried that he could get into trouble, so he returned them.

'But this is serious for me. Customers have to trust me when they bring their clothes. They have to know that they are safe. So even 1,000 Baht cannot compensate for the damage it has done to the business.'

Kai said that the well-dressed man parked at the front of the store while wearing a face mask. He rummaged through the clothes basket before grabbing black g-string type panties and putting them in his pocket.

The owner said her daughter saw him and asked what he was doing, to which he replied that he had come to pick up his clothes, and she did not feel suspicious.

However, later that night, the man parked his car in front again and entered the shop to return the stolen panties, along with a white envelope containing the money and a note.

The note said: ‘From what I did today, it made me feel very stressed, very bad about what I did, and caused trouble for others.

‘I apologise to the shop and the owner of the clothes for what happened. I would like to compensate for the damages as a punishment for myself so that I will learn my lesson.

‘I ask that the shop and the owner of the clothes please forgive me. Please do not press charges against me. I will remember this as a lesson and will not do it again.'

Police Lieutenant Colonel Saijai Khamjunla said that officers had received the report in the early hours of the morning. They then began searching for the suspect.

The officer said: 'The CCTV was collected as evidence. The worn knickers were also submitted as evidence by the complainant. I didn't look closely but they looked like they had been worn.

'Unfortunately, so far we have not been able to find the suspect. We have told the owner of the shop to watch carefully in case he returns.

'The case is on file. There have not been any arrests yet.'

(1 GBP=0.02 THB)