A motorcyclist accused of trying to rape a Chinese woman on an roadside near Pattaya before fleeing with her money has been arrested.

Police detained the man, identified only as Thip, 41, at a house in Rayong province about 9pm on Tuesday, after viewing surveillance camera recordings along his escape route.

The suspect allegedly admitted to all charges. According to police, he said he wanted to apologise for his actions. However, he denied setting fire to the grass alongside the road in an attempt to kill the victim. He claimed he set her free.

A 29-year-old Chinese woman and her young brother, 19, had been waiting for public transport on Highway 331, the Sattahip-Nakhon Ratchasima route, about 10 kilometres from the attempted rape scene. They wanted to go to Pattaya.

Two men on motorcycles offered them a ride. The two tourists accepted, travelling on separate motorcycles.

The woman said her motorcyclist took her on a different route, arriving in a forested area where he allegedly tried unsuccessfully to rape her. He then tied her hands and feet before setting fire to the grass and fleeing with 15,000 baht cash and 1,500 yuan he stole from her, according to the victim.