Three robbers were shot by police — one of whom later died at hospital — when four Chinese nationals tried to hold up a gun shop in inner Bangkok with BB guns on Friday morning, according to police and media reports.
A fourth man was arrested in a nearby street trying to flee. A fifth man, believed to be the gang boss, remained at large
The failed robbery of the Interarms gunshop in Wang Burapha area occurred around 11am, according to media reports, which initially identified the men as Chinese and said they could not speak Thai.
Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahatavorn, acting Bangkok police chief, said the four men entered the shop and asked to see some guns. They then pulled BB guns from their clothing and threatened the owner and shop assistants.
The shopowner resisted and was slightly injured in the ensuing scuffle. A shop attendant was stabbed, but not seriously hurt, he said.
Police alerted by an alarm arrived at the scene and the robbers attempted to flee. Police shot at them and three were hit, captured and later taken to hospital. One of them was pronounced dead in the afternoon.
The fourth alleged robber was caught not far away, he said.
Police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said later there were five men involved. This fifth, the mastermind, remained at large.
A passport check showed the men were Chinese nationals from the Mongolia region who entered Thailand on Feb 27.
"They came to steal guns and had checked out the shop a day earlier," he said.