Two Vietnamese tourists were arrested at a love hotel over a series of thefts in Thailand.

Do Van Hiep, 36, and Nguyen Huu Luc, 34, allegedly broke into homes to steal valuables in Nonthaburi province on the fringes of Bangkok.

They were detained by police in a love hotel in the Bang Rak Noi area on December 18 following investigations into a spate of thefts in various districts in the province.

Police seized more than 500 items, including tools, phones, gadgets, Buddha amulets, shoes, bags, clothes, and cash all believed to have been stolen.

Police Major General Prathana Phanpha, commander of the Nonthaburi Provincial Police, said: ‘We will detain both suspects for further interrogation with an interpreter. Only one of them can speak Thai to a limited extent.'

The suspects were found to have entered Thailand on tourist visas on November 16.

Their biggest heist involved a car showroom, where CCTV footage showed them escaping on a cab in the Bang Si Mueang district. Authorities traced them to the love hotel using the security camera video.

The men allegedly claimed they were driven to crime because they were unemployed and needed money.

Both will be charged with committing theft at night, which is punishable with up to five years in jail and a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 baht (470 to 2,300 GBP).

Nguyen has denied the charge and claimed only his partner committed the robberies.

(1 GBP = 43.11 THB)