[kellyhound]

A veteran soldier who tried to stop a robbery at a gold shop in Phuket, Thailand on April 8 was shot dead by the robber, who fled with jewellery valued at 2.32 million baht.

Apichet Choo-kliang, 32, was browsing the showcases at CP Gold Master & Jewellery store with his fiance, discussing the bridal payment for their wedding, when the robber entered the shop.

CCTV shows the robber arrived on a motorbike and entered the store around 6pm.

He was dressed in black, wore a face mask and a motorcycle helmet and carried a black backpack.

A witness said one of the staff saw the man had a gun and alerted the people in the shop.

"The man warned everyone in the shop not to move, otherwise he would shoot," said a witness, "And then he walked behind the counter and started taking the gold."

While the robber was putting gold jewellery in his bag, Apichet, a veteran soldier, approached him and tried to stop him.

He was shot in his left chest and fell to the ground. Apichet later succumbed to his wound at the Siriroj Phuket Hospital.

Police officers from 10 police stations in Phuket met on Sunday night to discuss the case.

Pol Maj Gen Choti Chavaviwat, Phuket police chief, said the thief was the same man who robbed a bank at a shopping mall in Phuket in January. The man is still in the area, he said.

All escape routes out of the province had been blocked - whether by sea, air or land, he added.

The owner of the gold store has offered a 200,000 baht reward for the killer's capture.

[imbok]

Armed robbers are also known as TARGETS. I hope someone puts a bullet in that bastard.

[Ghost]

Things backfired badly for this potential have a go hero...

If I was in a shop and a gunman entered with a view to robbing the place and announced that he will shoot anyone that moves then you've only got yourself to blame if you try to approach them and things go tits up.

It'd be different if a friend or family was being threatened or was taken hostage then yeah maybe a rescue attempt could be in order but this was just stupid, what did he hope to achieve?

[Rusty666]

brutal

[medikundi]

that veteran soldier forgot what a gun does

[alex1993]

what was that dude gonna do..use his jedi mind trix

[slaver]

poor bastard

[leehere10]

The two customers who were leaving as he was coming in.. soon legged it when they heard the glass break.. They had the right idea..

[Pyramid_Head]

Sorry, but don't be a hero.

[rich]

Very well executioned robbery. Didn't change his pace whatsoever during the robbery. The guy should have observed that.