A dopey thief tried to steal a gold chain but failed after the store owner locked the door to block his getaway path.

This careless thief went into Saengpetch gold store in Mueang district of Sisaket, Thailand asking to try on a piece of jewellery.

CCTV footage from August 19 shows a moment the thief Worawee Boonchern, 41, put on the necklace and pretended to make a phone call.

While he was on the phone he walked to the door trying to escape, but the shop owner who noticed his suspicious behaviour had already locked the door and called the police.

The gold shop owner Thanyada Thawanthanakorn said the thief gave back the necklace and beg to let him go.

She said: "After he knew the doors were locked, he gave the gold necklace back and begged me to open the door and let him go.

"I noticed his suspicious actions from the moment he walked in, so I scrutinised him and I was right."

Police Liutenant Sabainang Sirimontree arrived and arrested the thief and said that he confessed to the crime straight away.

She said: "The man confessed and claimed that he had a fight with his girlfriend and wanted to be put in prison as a way to get her attention. I’m not sure about that. I think he tried to steal the gold so he could give to her as a gift and win her back.’’

The man was arrested and charged with attempted robbery.