A Swiss tourist was arrested for allegedly using drugs on the roadside in Thailand.

Sascha and a still-unidentified individual were seen appearing to snort the banned substance in full view of passing drivers on crowded tourist island Phuket on March 6.

Suspicious locals filmed the pair after they stopped near parked motorcycles to indulge in the contraband.

Footage shows the backpackers bending over in turns to seemingly inhale the drugs as numerous vehicles sped by.

Police launched an investigation when the video emerged online. They identified one of the suspects as Sascha, and arrested him at his hotel on March 10.

Police Colonel Anurak Prinyasathirakul, superintendent of the Kamala District Police Station, said: 'The tourist confessed that he was the person in the video. He admitted that he had taken drugs. As for the other man, his name was still unknown as they had just met that night.

'Urine tests returned positive. We therefore arrested the Swiss man and will proceed according to the law. We will also expand the investigation to trace the source of the drugs.'

He did not specify what drug Sascha had used.

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.

The island saw 800,000 foreign visitors last year alone.

However, 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.

Phuket officials said they are implementing tighter immigration controls and screening processes amid a wave of drug-related crimes and illegal activities on the island.