An Australian couple were arrested over an alleged snatching spree in Thailand.

The suspects named by police as Sam B, 25, and his partner Susan A, 36, reportedly carried out a string of thefts while driving on a rented motorcycle around crowded tourist island Phuket, on February 19.

CCTV footage shows the pair pulling up next to a female pedestrian and allegedly yanking her purse containing a phone and other valuables, in front of a 7-11 convenience store.

They are then said to have sped away before plucking a phone from another pedestrian near a Thai massage parlour near Rawai Beach just an hour later.

Police reviewed the security camera footage after receiving a report from the alleged victims. They found that both alleged thefts were carried out by the Aussie couple.

Sam was said to have rented a Honda PCX from a local shop to commit the drive-by thefts.

Authorities obtained arrest warrants from the provincial court and detained the suspects at their residence on February 21.

Officers seized from them the motorcycle and the clothes they wore during the reported thefts.

Police Colonel Ekarat Plaiduang, superintendent of the Chalong Police Station, said, 'We have charged both suspects with joint theft using a vehicle to facilitate the crime. We will proceed according to the law.'

Under Section 335 of the Thai Criminal Code, theft is punishable with up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 6,000 THB (140 GBP).

The once-pristine island of Phuket has been marred by over-tourism as the Thai government implements a visa-free scheme to boost revenue following the barren pandemic years.

Angry locals claim the push for tourist dollars has attracted crowds of 'low-quality' visitors from Russia, India and Australia. There are also fears that the island has become an enclave of criminal activity, with police unable to control street fights and more organised ruffians setting up rackets among local businesses.

(1 GBP = 42.41 THB)