A British tourist was arrested for allegedly stealing a gold chain from holidaymakers.

Jordan Ezra, 31, allegedly stalked Iranian Maziyar Dezfooli, 33, before snatching his gold necklace in Pattaya, Thailand, on December 8.

Four days later, Jordan was allegedly involved in another theft case where he grabbed jewellery worth 210,000 THB (4,900 GBP) from Indian Merlin Dhanapalan, 42, before fleeing on December 12.

Jordan was allegedly seen fleeing the scene on both occasions on a blue Honda Click motorbike.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Thananon Athipansee said that even though the suspect was wearing a mask, officers recognised his muscular build and distinctive tattoos.

Footage shows Jordan without a shirt being escorted by officers into the station for questioning on December 13. He had an interpreter translate the questions of cops to him.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Thananon said: 'The suspect was arrested at his rented room in Sattahip.

'The room was searched to find evidence and the suspect was handcuffed before being taken back for further questioning at the Center for Suppressing International Criminals and Illegal Immigration.'

Jordan denied the allegations and claimed he had bipolar disorder and short-term memory loss, so he could not remember what happened during those days.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Thananon added: 'We do not believe the excuse that he could not remember what happened. We are confident we can prosecute this foreigner and find others involved.'

Jordan's alleged accomplice remains at large and is still being searched by authorities.

The Brit will remain in custody during the investigation.

Despite being a notorious enclave of criminal activity, Pattaya has become a popular destination for tourists.

Embarrassed officials have made progress in gentrifying the region with family tourism projects but a ravenous nightlife industry and widespread corruption have hampered their efforts.

Large numbers of Brits, many with little prospects in their homeland, often move to Pattaya to open bars, where they profit from the debauchery.

(1 GBP = 43.15 THB)