This is the dramatic moment a brave female shopkeeper clung to a motorcycle to stop an alleged thief from escaping.

Pailin Kraikeet, 35, was manning the counter when she noticed the suspect reportedly shoplifting toiletries from the shelves of the convenience store in Surat Thani, Thailand, on January 13.

Upon being called out, the suspect, described by police as a plump woman wearing red sweatpants and a black jacket fled from the building.

CCTV footage shows the much thinner Pailin battling to stop the alleged robber, who effortlessly shrugged her off and sped away on a motorcycle. She dragged Pailin 130 feet across the road before smashing into an oncoming pickup truck.

Well-meaning passers-by unwittingly helped the suspect escape by pushing her fallen motorcycle upright, allowing her to flee the scene. However, thanks to the brave shopkeepers efforts the crook had dropped the stolen goods.

Police officers later arrived to investigate. They found that the woman had left behind the plastic bag full of stolen goods and they checked them for fingerprints.

Pailin was treated for several abrasions.

Captain Nuttipong Surin said: 'The thief quickly fled the scene on her motorcycle, heading towards Chonkasem Road and then in the direction of Karunrat Junction. Investigators are currently reviewing security camera footage to track her escape route.'