In the heart of Buriram’s bustling Isaan province, an ordinary day at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives took a turn for the dramatic. A would-be thief, driven by desperation and armed with a menacing knife, met his match in the form of a vigilant and fearless security guard. It’s not every day that someone stands up to danger with the courage reminiscent of a movie hero, but that’s exactly what unfolded on June 18th.
As the afternoon sun bathed the streets of Buriram, the local police station buzzed with an urgent call. The officers from Nonsuwan Police Station springing into action like a well-oiled machine, were soon racing against time to reach the bank. When they arrived, expecting chaos, they were met with an unexpected sight. The would-be robber, 38-year-old Somphon, was already on the ground, thanks to the bravery of 59-year-old Somphop Chansiri.
The security guard, now heralded as a community hero, had taken matters into his own hands—literally. The CCTV footage, which has since gone viral, captures Somphon’s ill-fated approach, knife in hand, trying to pursue his desperate plan. But Somphop sharply sprung into action with unwavering determination, grasping the assailant’s wrist and expertly disarming the threat. Bank staff and customers watched as Somphop wrestled the man out the door and held him until help arrived.
As Somphop recounted to Channel 8, right from the moment the masked man stepped into the bank, alarm bells rang in his mind. The otherwise peaceful atmosphere of the bank trembled under the promise of trouble. Somphop’s keen eyes never left the suspect, noting every suspicious move, and when the time came to act, he did so without hesitation.

For around ten agonizing minutes, bravery and chaos wove together as Somphop contained the thief, fighting off the threat while other staff grabbed the knife, casting it aside like a snake shedding its venomous fangs. When the police finally arrived, the crisis was over, the suspect was subdued, and the bank was safe, though the day’s excitement was far from over.
Once in custody, Somphon unfolded a tale as human as it was tragic. A tapestry of desperation woven by circumstance unfolded before the officers. His mother, he claimed, was suffering from a life-threatening kidney disease, each week drawing 20,000 baht for dialysis treatments—a cost he could no longer sustain. With financial options exhausted and hope dwindling, desperation drove him to an unthinkable choice—the failed robbery attempt.
In the somber halls of the police station, Somphon’s father, Khamman, confirmed his son’s desperate story. He tearfully admitted to cancelling his wife’s treatment due to financial strain, yet never envisioned his son’s drastic and criminal measure as a solution. No amount of explanation could change the outcome, however. Law enforcement had its own narrative to follow, and justice demanded a resolution.
Somphon now faces charges under Section 339 of the Criminal Law for attempted robbery with violence or threat, a reality promising 5 to 10 years behind bars—though, thanks to his failed attempt, he benefits from a two-thirds sentence reduction. Additionally, his positive drug test means he’s facing further consequences under Section 162 of the Narcotics Control Act, the penalties of which include the possibility of another year in prison or fines soaring up to 20,000 baht.
In this tale of courage and desperate decisions, the serenity of a bank branch was forever altered, challenged by desperation yet safeguarded by bravery. The world continues to spin, stories continue to unfold, and every day potential for heroism blooms in the most unexpected places and times.
It’s heartwarming to see someone stand up against crime. This guard truly is a hero!
Absolutely! But I can’t help but wonder, what about the robber’s desperate situation?
True, it’s a tragic story. Financial desperation can drive people to do unthinkable things.
I think we should applaud the guard’s bravery, but also question the support systems for people like the robber.
Totally agree. The root causes of such acts need addressing to prevent future incidents.
Exactly! We need better healthcare policies to support those in need.
They should give the guard a medal! Not everyone has the guts to risk their own life like that.
I agree to an extent, but let’s not forget the systemic issues at play here.
I admire the guard’s courage, but the punishment for the robber seems too harsh given his circumstances.
Crime is crime. Justified or not, entering a bank with a knife has consequences.
But doesn’t the context matter? He was just trying to save his mom!
It might, but the law has to be applied uniformly or chaos will ensue.
Did the guard get a reward? Because he deserves something for risking his life.
It’s sad to see the lack of mental health support in these cases. Desperation really can push people over the edge.
Truly. Society fails individuals when fear and desperation overshadow hope.
As much as the robber’s situation is sad, threatening innocent people isn’t the answer.
Agreed, but we need to create environments where people don’t feel trapped into making bad choices.
The environment we create contributes to these things. Perhaps economic policies need reconsideration?
Valid point! Economic inequality leads to such desperate acts, more than we want to admit.
This story is a mirror of our failing healthcare systems and lack of support for those in need.
Seeing all these perspectives just makes me sad. No winners in this situation.
Instead of imprisoning him, the authorities should help rehabilitate him and support his family.
Rehabilitation sounds noble, but justice can’t overlook crime just because of a sob story.
Brave guy! I wonder if he’d do it again knowing the robber’s situation.
If only there were more Somphops in the world, we’d have less crime.
Or better policies to prevent the root cause of criminal actions.
Society has a long way in ensuring that desperation doesn’t lead to crime.
True, but until then, let’s appreciate those who stand up to such acts.