A hotel is searching for French tourists who allegedly refused to pay before attacking staff in Thailand.

David Elie Azogui, 25, and Noah Avraham Lewkowicz, 24, booked a three-night stay at the Salad Buri Resort on Koh Phangan island but later requested an extra night.

The pair had also brought an extra guest without informing staff. But when they were checking out on September 27, they allegedly refused to pay for the 3,000-baht (68 GBP) extension, sparking a physical altercation.

CCTV footage shows a female staff member rushing to block their motorcycles as they were leaving. The two men were then seen kicking and manhandling her before their friend intervened.

Hotel staff said they have filed a formal complaint with the local police following the incident.

Resort manager Cuttaleeya Piriyasatit said: 'The tourists checked out at 5 pm instead of the usual 11 am, so we charged them 3,000 baht, which was already reduced from the normal 6,500 baht for a private pool villa. But they refused to pay and even damaged our computer. They also threw a staff member's phone.'

Police later arrived to mediate the dispute but released the French tourists after they agreed to settle the late checkout fees and cover the cost of the female staff member's broken glasses.

The injured woman was obtaining a medical certificate to file charges of physical assault.

A police spokesman said: 'Once the result is out, the police will issue a summons for the tourists. If they fail to appear, an arrest warrant will be issued, and they will have to show up in court.'

Cuttaleeya added: 'The officers could not immediately arrest the tourists because they had no warrant. They also classified it as a petty offence, meaning the victim will have to seek civil compensation for her injuries. That is what the police said.'

Koh Pha Ngan island is known for the monthly Full Moon Party - a notorious beach rave that draws thousands of tourists each month. The event is infamous for heavy drinking and drug use, despite strict laws and frequent police crackdowns.

(1 GBP = 43.71)