A Japanese tourist attacked a policeman who ordered him to stop releasing a lantern during New Year celebrations in Thailand.

The holidaymaker Tomohiro Hirano, 31, was trying to release the red Chinese-style paper lamp when the cop tried to pull it down in Chiang Mai in the early hours of January 1.

Shocking footage shows how the visitor reacted angrily - squaring up to the uniformed officer, butting heads like a footballer and shouting in his face.

Astonishingly, he grabbed the armed policeman by his collar and yelled at him.

They stared at each other intensely as a woman tried to intervene, while the furious tourist pointed repeatedly at his broken lantern. He said he had paid 100 Baht (2.33 GBP) for the item.

However, the confrontation did not end well for the Far Eastern tourist and he was eventually marched to the local police station.

Onlooker Yannisa, who recorded the video, said: 'That was a bad way to start the year 2025. He will spend it at the police station.'

The Japanese holidaymaker was questioned at the police station and apologised for his actions. He was released without being charged. However, he did have to pay a fine of 3,000 Baht (69.84 GBP).

Hirano said: 'I am deeply sorry for what happened. I would like to apologise to the policeman for my behaviour.'

Police Sub-Lieutenant Taweesak Wongjai said: 'I informed the man that releasing the lantern in the area was prohibited. He ignored my warning, so I slapped the lantern out of his hand.

'This caused him to become angry, even though he could see that I am a policeman.'

The police station's superintendent, Police Colonel Pratya Thisala, added: 'We deployed officer Taweesak to monitor the crowded areas in downtown Chiang Mai.

'Releasing lanterns there is a fire hazard, so we do not allow it However, some tourists are unaware of this, and some shops still sell them.'

He said: 'The police officer did not pursue charges against him because we did not want it to become a bad memory for his holiday in Chiang Mai during the New Year Festival.

‘We let him off with a warning as a New Year gift. The tourist also paid a 3,000 Baht fine for disobeying an officer's orders.

'The tourist said that he would definitely return to Thailand in the future for a holiday and promised never to repeat such behaviour.'