An Azerbaijani tourist was stabbed by a furious Thai vendor for allegedly refusing to pay for fruit.

Orkhan Mammadzada, 33, devoured the fresh produce but reportedly would not hand 60 baht (1.4 GBP) to the grocer Pannawit Yongyodying, 25.

The enraged local, who was driving around holiday island Phuket to sell fruits on his motorcycle sidecar, was said to have blown up at the tourist.

He plunged a knife into his abdomen, causing part of his intestines to protrude through the gaping wound.

Police responded to the alleged attack in front of the Patong Medical Clinic in the early hours of Friday morning.

They found Orkhan bleeding from the gruesome injury and rushed him to Patong Hospital for treatment. They also detained Pannawit, who did not try to flee from police.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Somprasong Baisa-ard of the Patong Police Station said: 'We apprehended the suspect and took him to the station for further legal action.'

Pannawit said he was with his girlfriend selling fruits on their modified food cart.

He said: 'The tourist came to eat the fruit but refused to pay the 60 baht. I argued with him because he did not want to pay such a small amount. I couldn't take it anymore and stabbed him in the stomach with a knife.'

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.

Combined with the legalisation of cannabis and proliferation of other drugs, it has caused a perfect storm, with visitors often suffering side-effects from the strong substances.

Doctors believe that the effects on tourists of a sudden intake of alcohol or cannabis can be amplified by dehydration from the hot weather, fried food, jet lag, tiredness and feeling of freedom that comes with being in a culture less restrictive than their homeland.

(1 GBP = 43.43 THB)