A British tourist who moaned about the conditions of Thai police cells was caught on camera vandalising a car park barrier before threatening security guards.

Andrew Hopkins, 55, said he was imprisoned, battered and extorted out of 15,000 Baht (356.81 GBP) by local cops for accidentally breaking a sign in the coastal resort town of Pattaya, Thailand, on November 22, last year.

He claimed his vacation turned into a 'holiday from hell' when he was twice unfairly thrown into jail, where he was cuffed to the cell bars and left to 'lie in a puddle of his own urine' before he was released.

The disgruntled holidaymaker shared photos he claimed were taken inside an overcrowded and filthy jail.

However, CCTV has emerged of the first incident that led to him being taken to the police station. It shows him drunkenly smashing a car park barrier by bending it backwards until it snapped.

He then moved his hand towards the face of a petite Thai woman, causing her to stagger backwards in fear.

Apartment block security guards at the Airbnb rental where Andrew was staying then also backed away as the 22-stone tourist walked aggressively towards them.

Police paperwork shows he was picked up and taken to the station, where officers fined him just 100 Baht (2.38 GBP) for damaging the barrier.

He was then released but police said he continued the drunken tirade against the frightened female property owner when he returned - causing him to be arrested for a second time - and held behind bars until he sobered up.

Police Major General Thawatkiat Jindakwuansanong, commander of Chonburi Provincial Police said that he had written a letter to the British Embassy over the tourist's claims.

Speaking in the video, the police chief said: 'The security camera footage shows Mr Hopkins breaking the barrier gate and being drunk, causing a nuisance to other residents.

'The information that he has spread has negatively affected the reputation of Pattaya and the police.

'Mr Hopkins was drunk and had destroyed the condominium's property, prompting officers to detain him at Pattaya City Police Station.

'He was charged with causing a nuisance and was fined 100 baht before being released.

'At no point did Mr Hopkins have to 15,000 baht for his release. All of his possessions and valuables were photographed and stored before being returned upon his release.

'However, even after being released, he continued to be rowdy and behaved inappropriately, causing trouble for other residents, leading officers to apprehend him again.

'Chonburi Provincial Police have sent a letter to the British Embassy in Bangkok to ask for assistance in correcting the wrong information and preventing further misleading coverage.

‘I would like to confirm that we proceed with legal procedures transparently and fairly and are ready to assist tourists and citizens who are affected by injustice.'

Andrew later returned to the UK following his ordeal in the sunny Southeast Asian holiday destination, which is popular with Brits, Europeans, Australians and Americans.

Andrew said: 'Tourists to Thailand have zero rights in Thailand, Thais honour other Thais, tourists are seen as marks to be fleeced and robbed at every opportunity.

'They call it the Land of Smiles, but my experience is that they're only friendly while you're paying. Tourists are seen as easy targets to be fleeced and robbed.

'If you ever find yourself in trouble there – stay calm, don't raise your voice, and do not, under any circumstances, question their authority.'

Former fishing village Pattaya became popular with American troops on 'rest and relaxation' breaks in the 1950s and 1960s when the U.S. military had bases in Thailand. They were joined by Thai troops fighting Communism in Vietnam.

But the handful of bars in the coastal town grew over the years and it is now the world's biggest sex holiday destination, with round-the-clock prostitution and drugs.

Government chiefs have attempted to clean up the city but regular violence, depravity and claims of corruption continue to blight its reputation.