Police are hunting a German tourist who was seen on CCTV allegedly stealing cash from a spa in Thailand.

Laszlo, 24, reportedly plucked 2,000 baht from the cash register after having a massage on tourist island Phuket on January 20.

CCTV footage shows the holidaymaker, seen wearing a cap backwards, approaching the counter when the clerk stepped away from her post at around 5 pm local time.

He scanned the desk for valuables, checking behind him to see if other customers were looking, before slowly opening a drawer full of banknotes.

He then allegedly pocketed several bills just seconds before the staff returned.

Lazslo visited the shop with an Austrian man and a German woman, but was the only one who did not leave his phone number on the records.

Pawinee, owner of THAN Spa & Massage, said she discovered the theft while auditing the day's income.

She said: 'The shop asked tourists to fill in their information to receive the service. Laszlo selected a 60-minute Thai massage course priced at 890 baht.

‘After receiving the service, he took the opportunity when the employee stepped away from the counter and stole 2,000 baht in cash from the shop's cash register.

‘The shop discovered the theft after auditing the revenue and finding that it did not match the system records.'

Pawinee said she has lodged a report with the police.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Naruephon Pruetinan of the Mueang Phuket Police Station said: ‘Currently, we are tracking down the suspect. We know that he is staying at a hotel in the Rawai area, and we will arrange a meeting with the victim.'

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.