This is the terrifying moment an Australian family cowered in fear after a drug-crazed gunman held them hostage as they ate in a restaurant. <br /><br />The three tourists, who have not been named yet, were dining out at a beach bar in Krabi, Thailand, when Ekkapoj Puangphet, 32, stormed in brandishing the handgun yesterday (Tue) evening at 7 pm.<br /><br />Ekkapoj - who was high on alcohol and yaba - ordered the Aussies and three massage workers also eating in the venue to lie face down on the ground as he locked the door. <br /><br />The shirtless bandit - covered in tattoos and with a red bandana over his face - then let off four rounds on the second floor of the wooden building prompting cries of terror and panic among the hostages and those outside.<br /><br />Police eventually contacted the gunman's father and passed the mobile phone Ekkapoj him. He was eventually arrested an hour later with 50 armed police on standby outside. <br /><br />He had a pistol and nine bullets on him.<br /><br />The gunman told cops he had arrived the previous day from his home in Nakhon Si Thammarat province before going on a drink and drugs binge. <br /><br />He said he found the restaurant on the popular Railey Beach part of the tourist resort and became paranoid he was about to be harmed.<br /><br />Poice Lieutenant Colonel Phitsanu Puangprom, commander of the investigation division of the Krabi Police head office, said: ''There were six hostages. Three Australian tourists and three Thai massage workers. They were eating in the restaurant.''
