This is the shocking moment a robber pushed over a frail pensioner who bravely tried to defend his home.

Chuntong Ekananwiriya, 83, was woken up by the intruder who broke into the bungalow in Phuket, southern Thailand, on November 21.

CCTV footage shows frail Chuntong bravely trying to fend off the robber with a metal pipe picked up from beside his bed.

However, the attacker returned with a plastic garden chair and pushed over the elderly man who toppled over and slammed into the ground. He then allegedly raided the room and stole valuables, including cash, gold, and a watch.

Village chief Wisut Boonchang took the CCTV to police. They said nobody in the area recognised the burglar and they demanded he be arrested as soon as possible.

Wisut said: ''I took the security camera footage to the police to give them evidence for the investigation and wanted them to spread it so people could beware of the burglar. What he did was cruel.''

Wisut said that the elderly man was shaken by the incident but had not been seriously hurt.

He added: "It was a relief after the check-up result showed that he was only slightly injured on his back and coccyx as he was very old.''

Police arrested Lookkai Nupeng, 37, two days later (24/11) afternoon at the provincial bus terminal about to flee to the other province.

Police Captain Sari Ongant said the robber claimed he was just out of prison and they believed he committed the robbery because he was out of money.

He said: “After we arrested him we interrogated him and was told that he admitted committing the crime but he has not told us about the motive.”

The police chief added that the robber was charged with several charges.

He said: ''We have charged him with trespassing at night, robbery and causing physical harm to others.''