SMART work by police on Phuket has led to the arrest of a Frenchman who allegedly carried out an ATM fraud on Samui.

On August 16, Chemsdine Cabibi, 22, and a friend were allegedly filmed by a security camera on Samui putting in place a set of fake ATM keys at a Bangkok Bank branch at Chaweng beach.

Stills from the footage were circulated to police throughout Thailand by Samui Tourist Police.

On Friday morning, a police officer in Patong spotted Cabibi in the street and asked him whether he'd just flown in from Samui. No, the young man allegedly replied.

Backing his hunch, the officer went to the Frenchman's room at the Royal Pawade Hotel in Patong where, sure enough, he found a flight ticket from Samui dated August 19. He also took possession of a distinctive baseball cap and a necklet, both of which could clearly be seen in the security camera footage.

Mr Cabibi remained silent yesterday during a presentation to the media at Kathu Police Station in Patong. With him were two men from Cameroon accused of a ''black money'' deceit and Jenna Marie Keys, an Australian tourist charged with making a fraudulent insurance report.

Mr Cabibi did not have his passport with him on Phuket and so faces an additional charge, as well as being returned to Samui to face the ATM fraud allegations. His friend has already left Thailand.