An Israeli tourist was arrested for allegedly exchanging fake dollar bills at a money changer in Thailand.

Rami Ayash, 56, reportedly took 24 counterfeit 50-dollar banknotes to exchange for 40,500 THB at the T.T. Currency Exchange in 'Sin City' Pattaya, on January 29.

However, he was arrested after eagle-eyed employee Nawaporn Tarasee flagged the cash as fake. She had noticed that the bills were smoother than genuine currency, and the gold numbers did not change to green when tilted as they would on authentic cash.

Police detained the tourist who allegedly confessed to the crime. The fake notes were seized as evidence.

Police Colonel Man Rodthong, superintendent 2 of the Tourist Police Division 1, said: 'The suspect claimed that he got these counterfeit banknotes from Israel.

‘We handed him and the confiscated items over to the inquiry officer of Pattaya City Police Station for further legal action.'

He added Rami will be charged with 'possessing counterfeit currency with the intent to use it'.

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.