This is the dramatic moment furious locals chased two tourists who allegedly assaulted an elderly Thai man.

Footage shows residents running after the pair outside a shopping centre on holiday island Phuket, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The mob were seen kicking and punching at the fleeing tourists as they tried to escape.

One of the men was struck by an oncoming motorcycle but still managed to bolt with his companion before they were cornered.

Onlookers said the chase was sparked by the duo allegedly attacking an old Thai man believed to be around 60 years old. The alleged assault was said to have sparked outrage among the witnesses, who rushed in to catch the suspects and haul them to the police station.

Police Colonel Kornkrit Khankrua, superintendent of Patong Police Station, confirmed: 'Both sides have come to Patong Police Station.

‘They negotiated and agreed to pay compensation to the elderly man before they went their separate ways.'

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.