This is the shocking moment a robber brazenly raided a gold shop in Thailand.

Somphong Yoosuk, 28, allegedly attacked the store with a gun at a shopping mall in Samut Sakhon province on Sunday afternoon.

Wearing a hat and face mask, he threatened terrified staff with a pistol before vaulting over the counter to ransack the display cases.

Footage shows Somphong smashing a glass case as he kept employees at bay with the firearm.

Clutching 3.4 million THB (79,732 GBP) worth of jewellery in one hand, he then tried to flee the scene - but was tackled by a plainclothes cop before he could exit the mall.

Somphong was hauled to the Krathum Baen District Police Station, where he allegedly confessed to the robbery.

He claimed he was driven to crime by stress and financial hardships. He repeatedly apologised for his actions.

Onlookers said they had seen him circling the area shortly before the attack.

Police Sergeant Major Sukit Klasongkhram, who arrested Somphong, said: 'While being restrained, the suspect repeatedly apologised and said he needed money, without providing further explanation.

'We plan to investigate his financial records and the origin of the modified gun, which we believe was stolen from another person.'

Somphong was handed over to the inquiry officer to face charges of robbery using a firearm and possession of a firearm without a permit.

(1 GBP = 42.64 THB)