Police arrested a pregnant woman after she attempted to rob a gold shop in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Tuesday afternoon.

Vanisa Nafia, 28, confessed that she was desperate and had no money to pay her rent because she was unemployed and her boyfriend left her.

Manus Tonpoh, a 38-year-old customer at the gold shop, told police that the woman suddenly held a knife to his throat and took him hostage.

The man broke free from her hold as she tossed a bag at the clerk, ordering the clerk to fill it up with gold.

The woman fought briefly with the man and held up a pistol as she retreated towards a motorcycle parked outside the shop.

Mr Manus said he noticed that she was holding a fake gun and brought the woman down to the ground with the help of people nearby.

The pregnant woman was charged with armed robbery.