WRONG TARGET; NIGHT OF ANGST; SHOP THUGS; SLEEPY KILL

A failed gold shop thief in Udon Thani took his own life after an exchange of gunfire with the shop owner left him injured in the arm.

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The dramatic scenes unfolded at the store in Wua Kong market in Muang district when the man entered carrying a gold necklace, claiming he wanted to pawn it.

The shop owner, a woman known for her composure and firearms training, examined the necklace and determined it was fake.

The man, identified as Sakda Yot-suwan, 51, from Phen district, then pulled out a 9mm Taurus G30 pistol and demanded 200,000 baht in cash.

The owner pretended to comply, saying she would fetch the money from the back, but instead armed herself with a .38 Smith & Wesson revolver and alerted police.

A gunfight erupted inside the shop. Witnesses reported hearing between four and eight shots.

The robber fired several rounds, and the owner returned fire, one bullet striking him in the left shoulder, wounding him.

The shop's automatic locking door was activated, trapping him inside.

Unable to escape, the robber sat down in the corner of the shop, visibly distressed.

After a pause, he raised his pistol to his right temple and shot himself, dying instantly.

Police and rescue teams arrived minutes later to find him slumped against a red chair, his weapon between his legs.

Investigators found his white Mitsubishi Triton pickup parked outside.

The shop owner, shaken but unharmed, said he had been a regular customer and she recognised him.

She added that he had first tried to pawn the fake necklace, then demanded cash when refused.

Police confirmed that both firearms — the robber's pistol and the owner's revolver — were legally registered.

They noted the shop's security measures, including steel bars, alarm systems, and automatic doors, prevented the robber from fleeing and likely saved lives.

Authorities said rising gold prices may be encouraging such crimes. They praised the owner's quick thinking and composure.