BURIRAM — A brave Thai security guard foiled an attempted armed bank robbery in Buriram’s Nonsuwan district on June 18, tackling and disarming a knife-wielding suspect before police arrived.
Officers from Nonsuwan Police Station rushed to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), Nonsuwan branch, after receiving an emergency alert. They found 38-year-old Somphon, the suspect, already subdued by Somphop Chansiri, a 59-year-old security guard, with help from other bank staff.
CCTV footage shows the masked suspect entering the bank and approaching Somphop with a long knife. Without hesitation, Somphop grabbed the suspect’s wrist, pushed him back from the counter, and disarmed him.
Speaking to Channel 8, Somphop said he grew suspicious when the man entered with his face covered and insisted he remove his mask. He then monitored the suspect’s behavior closely before the attempted attack. A 10-minute struggle followed, during which Somphop restrained the man until staff helped confiscate the weapon.
The suspect later claimed he attempted the robbery out of desperation, needing 20,000 baht per week for his mother’s dialysis treatments. His father confirmed the story, stating they had canceled her treatment recently due to financial difficulties but never expected his son to turn to crime.
Police say the suspect tested positive for drugs and now faces two charges:
- Section 339, Criminal Code: Attempted robbery with violence—normally punishable by 5–10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of 100,000–200,000 baht. Due to the failed attempt, his sentence may be reduced by one-third under Section 80.
- Section 162, Narcotics Control Act: Use of a Category 1 narcotic, which carries a penalty of up to 1 year in prison and/or a 20,000 baht fine.
Somphop has been widely praised for his quick thinking and bravery, with many online hailing him as a local hero.
