This is the shocking moment electric wires exploded when bungling thieves cut them to steal high-voltage cables.

Security footage shows the pair of suspected robbers fidgeting with the utility post, with one of them climbing up a ladder to reach the Preassembly Aerial Cables in front of the Dhaveevatthana Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 4, 2022.

A sudden blast followed by a shower of sparks fell when the wires exploded, sending the thieves fleeing on their getaway car.

Residents said the attempted theft had caused a one-hour blackout before electricians fixed the power supply.

Authorities said the thieves had been caught and suffered minor burn injuries.

A local electrician said: 'The cable had multiple layers of protection, and the thief had used a bamboo ladder which acted as an electrical insulator. Power was restored in the area after an hour.'