A stubborn British tourist enraged traffic cops - by eating the fine.

Emmanuel Sowunmi Akanni Akintoye-Sowemimo, 34, from Hammersmith, west London, was stopped by officers for not wearing a helmet in Thai 'Sin City' Pattaya, on December 21.

The policemen demanded the shirtless holidaymaker wearing socks and flip flops pay 2,000 Baht (46.50 GBP) for the violation.

But Emmanuel is said to have become angry and snatched the paper before stuffing it in his mouth, chewing it and swallowing it in front of them.

Baffled cops called for reinforcements as Emmanuel continued arguing with them. He was also found to be riding without a license, which added another 1,000 Baht (23.25 GBP) to the bill.

Footage shows the tourist without a helmet appearing to taunt police by waving his hand and flashing two thumbs up at them. He then put on a pair of airpods and nodded along to music even as he was being interrogated by authorities.

He was also heard in the video arguing: 'Why am I getting fined? Answer me. I'm asking you and the police officer, why am I getting fined? This is your Thai law?'

Police Corporal Chaiwat Korkaew, commander of the Pattaya Police Traffic Unit, said Emmanuel had been flagged for not wearing a helmet. When questioned by the cops, he was also unable to produce a valid driver's license.

The traffic police commander said: 'He was issued a ticket for not wearing a helmet, then an extra fine was added for nit having a driver's license.

'We told him to pay the fine at the police station, but he suddenly stuffed the ticket into his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it.'

Several officers later arrived to lock Emmanuel's tyres and cuff him. However, the burly holidaymaker shrugged them off and walked by himself to the station, where he continued arguing with authorities.

Emmanuel was later charged for disorderly conduct and 'destroying official documents' - racking up further fines to pay.

Pattaya police officers summoned him to the station the next day, December 22, where he was forced to cough up the fines.

Police Captain Thanawee Yarangsee, deputy inspector of investigation, said the Brit had entered Thailand on a tourist visa on December 10.

He said: ‘Chonburi Immigration has taken him for interrogation. He was warned to adjust his attitude while staying in Thailand, and to obey the same laws as citizens and other tourists staying in the country. He was receptive and showed a willingness to improve his behaviour for the remainder of his trip.'

Former fishing village Pattaya became popular with American troops on 'rest and relaxation' breaks in the 1960s when the U.S. military had bases in Thailand. In the ensuing years, the coastal resort spawned into a semi-barbarous sex-tourism hellscape.

Embarrassed officials have made progress in gentrifying the region with family tourism projects but a ravenous nightlife industry and corrupt police have hampered their efforts, with undesirables from all nations still attracted to the seedy city.