While exchanging some cash at a money exchange in the capital on Sunday, a 23-year-old man decided he wanted something for nothing and helped himself to a mobile phone someone had left sitting on the counter.

Unfortunately for him, the sheer number of customers in the shop at the time thwarted any chances he had of an escape.

As seems to be the way, an angry mob set upon him, beating him mercilessly until police arrived.

The man was arrested, while the villagers were told that in future they should think to restrain rather than inflict pain. KOH SANTEPHEAP