THIS is Michael Isaac Jerozaiski, 24, the French tourist arrested in the departure lounge at Phuket International Airport and accused of stealing cash and a Blackberry telephone from another passenger's hand-luggage.

Mr Jerozaiski has been in police custody and Phuket prison since his arrest on July 5. Police say Mr Jerozaiski at first admitted his guilt but is now not making any admissions and is awaiting a meeting with a lawyer.

Police from the Tachatchai station, which is the closest to the airport, say they have evidence that Mr Jerozaiski took 9800 baht and the telephone from the bag of a Thai traveller who forgot his piece of hand-luggage.

A woman witnessed Mr Jerozaiski take the other man's bag from the airport departures entrance scanner and carry it into the toilet, police say. They also say they have security camera footage of the theft.

Mr Jerozaiski was apprehended in the departure lounge, police say. He was carrying a shoulder bag, and ready to board an international flight. Police say the 9800 baht was in a jeans pocket and the Blackberry was in the shoulder bag.

Mr Jerozaiski is due to appear in court on August 14.