This is the amusing moment bungling thieves suffered instant karma - crashing their motorcycle while stealing bottles of fuel.

CCTV footage shows the pair riding towards the roadside stall selling petrol in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on March 21.

The pillion rider in a white shirt reached out to pluck one container, but leaned too far and caused their Scoopy motorbike to topple over.

He immediately jumped to his feet and sprinted away, leaving his companion, the driver in a black shirt, struggling to set the getaway vehicle upright.

Concerned bystanders approached to help, but gave chase when they realised the two were actually thieves.

Store owner Prak Sarim said: 'I felt bad for the driver because he was abandoned by his companion. I had no intention of beating him. I just scared him off because I felt sorry for him.'

Prak said the two men managed to evade capture but escaped empty-handed. They reported the incident to police but officers have not made any arrests.