Japanese tourists shocked a Thai hairdresser when they allegedly lifted her skirt to take photos.

The holidaymakers downed beer as one of them had a haircut at the salon in the coastal city of Pattaya, on October 19.

They were initially friendly as they joked around with hairdresser Kanokkarn Sriworakul, 34, who today waived her right to anonymity, but later angered the woman when they tried to look up her short dress.

CCTV footage shows two Japanese men trying to take upskirt photos with their phones while Kanokkarn was busy snipping away at their friend's hair.

She spun around, clearly irritated, but remained professional as she finished the service. The pair were heard laughing as they made light of the alleged harassment.

When the trio sheepishly tried to apologise later, she blew up at them, saying: 'You just say sorry? Why do you do this to Thai ladies? I respect everyone, I cut hair, I talk nicely with everyone.

'Just sorry? No, I will call the police. You just say sorry, but it's not in your heart. You just say sorry with your mouth. You look down on everyone.

'Next time, never do this to Thai ladies. I love Japanese people. Japanese people, I think are very good. But this, I am shocked. This is the first time a customer did this with me.'

She claimed the tourists had also openly mocked her LGBT clients.

Kanokkarn filed a report with the police, who tracked down the Japanese men's hotel, but they were not in their room.

The receptionist confirmed they were still checked in but declined to release their names or passports without meeting them in person.

Kannokarn added: 'I did not expect the incident to go viral. I only intended to protect myself and to teach the men that they must not mistreat Thai women.

'But I hope people see this and realise that this is no way to treat any woman.'

Pattaya is best known for its chaotic adult nightlife, but Tourists are regularly attacked or caught up in crime, leading to the unfavourable label of 'Sin City'.

Embarrassed officials in the central government have launched tourism initiatives to attract families and rebrand Pattaya as a safe destination.

Authorities have also introduced safety measures, such as improved lighting and CCTV.

Despite some success in cleaning up the town's image, alcohol and sex remain its biggest draws, often leading to a high rate of crime and accidents.