After two Malaysian tourists were randomly burned by an unemployed man in downtown Bangkok last Thursday (7th), the Tourism and Sports Ministry of Thailand has pledged to strengthen security measures in tourist areas.
The Bangkok Post reported on the 11th that the Tourism and Sports Ministry released a statement on its Facebook page on Saturday, making this commitment. The statement said that tightening security measures in tourist areas will boost the confidence of tourists and local residents.
The chief of the Tourist Police Bureau, Saksira Phuakum, also responded, saying that protection measures in major tourist areas would be intensified to boost international tourists' confidence.
Earlier, 26-year-old Ong Yik Leong and his 27-year-old girlfriend Gan Xiao Zhen were victims of a shocking attack. On the evening of the 7th, they were burned by a man named Warakorn, about 30 years old. He poured a bottle containing thinner on them, then chased after them and set them both alight.
The attacker was apprehended at the scene by passersby and handed over to the police. The two victims were attacked while sitting on the stairs outside the Big C supermarket on Ratchadani Road.
The suspect, a native of Sa Kaeo province and a retired boxer, told police he committed the crime because he felt frustrated by unemployment.
According to the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), citing Malaysian Embassy in Thailand chargé d'affaires Huang Yirui, the man suffered second-degree burns on his upper body, was sent to the Police General Hospital's intensive care unit, and is currently "stable"; the woman suffered second-degree burns to her face, chest, and over 36% of one arm, and was sent to Chulalongkorn King Memorial Hospital's intensive care unit.
Father of Female Victim Advises Against Traveling to Thailand
The report also said that a Malaysian diplomat visited the two as well as their family members, who had flown from Malaysia to Thailand on Saturday and have now left.
The two victims had arrived in Bangkok for sightseeing the day before the attack, and the woman's father had advised her not to travel. He told Bernama: "There have been too many incidents in Thailand this year, and I don't think it's the right time to visit Thailand for tourism."
Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry Seksan Osuwan and Police Chief Saksira also visited the two on Saturday.
Their families hope to transfer them to Malaysia for treatment. However, the two need to recover in Thai hospitals for a month, after which doctors will assess if they are suitable for transfer to Malaysia for further treatment.
Seksan told Bernama that the Malaysian government is waiting for the results of the Thai police investigation.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “Malaysia fully trusts the Thai authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, and we will provide full assistance as needed.”