Alexander Winstone, 36, mumbled an apology at a press conference and issued a statement that described his actions as "very misguided, a silly idea that I took too far." 

 In his e-mail sent to Tesco superstore in UK mid of last month, he threatened to poison food in Tesco's UKstores unless he was paid 2 million pounds (Bt136 million).

In cooperating with Thai police, UK's Scotland Yard traced to an internet cafe in Soi Nana.

Deputy national police chief Gen Issaraphan Sanitwong na-Ayutthaya said police will put Winstone on trial for attempted attempted extortion if the British authorities do not ask for his extradition.

Video footage from the cafe's security camera showed that the only customer at the time the e-mails were sent was a large Caucasian male wearing a white t-shirt and glasses. The emails were signed "John Smith."

   Scotland Yard detectives flew to Thailand to assist the Thai police and they were able to confront Winstone outside the cafe after he repeated the threat on Wednesday. He initially denied any wrongdoing.

Winstone's printed statement said that "it was never my intention to cause anybody any harm or hurt and, as I was working alone, it was impossible for me to do so."

   The statement also offered an apology to Tesco, its staff for any distress he may have caused and to the British and Thai police forces for wasting their time and resources.

Winstone said he came to Thailand in April to look for business opportunity

Winstone said that he was in Thailand investigating business opportunities since moving to Bangkok in April.

Similar threats have been made against Tesco stores in China and in the UK in the past.

Full statement of Winstone

To the people of Thailand

 I have been freely offered this opportunity to speak to you,which I have gratefully accepted.

 Fristly,I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions and to having caused the problems I have here in Thailand.

 Of course I now realixe that my actions were very wrong and I did not wish to commit any crime here in Thailand

 I now recognize that what I did was very misguided, a silly idea that I took to far .I would like to stress that it was never my intention to cause anybody any harm or hurt,and as I was working alone it was impossible for me to do so.

 Lastly,I would like to apologize to Tesco Plc and it's staff for the distress that this must have caused and to the members of the Royal Thai and British police forces for wasting their time and resources.

I thank you again for this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies

Alex Winstone