Unemployed Man in Bangkok Randomly Attacks Tourists, 2 Malaysian Visitors Set on Fire

Two Malaysian tourists in Thailand's capital Bangkok were seriously injured after being set on fire by an unemployed man.

According to Malaysian and Thai media reports, the incident happened around 10pm on the 7th. The attacker, a former boxer, approached the two victims from behind, poured thinner on them, and then set them on fire.

The victims were a 26-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman. Reports identified the man as Ong Yik Leong (26) and the woman as Gan Xiao Zhen (27). The incident took place as they were sitting on the steps outside the Big C supermarket on Ratchadamri Road. After being doused with thinner, the two tried to escape but were chased by the suspect, who ignited the fire on them.

The Malaysian embassy’s charge d’affaires in Thailand, Huang Yirui, said on the 8th that the male victim is in the ICU of Bangkok Police General Hospital, and the female victim was sent to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. He has visited both victims; their conditions are critical but stable.

Huang said: "Ong has second-degree burns on the front and back of his upper body. The injuries are serious, but not life-threatening." He said Gan suffered second-degree burns on 36% of her body, her condition is stable and she is conscious.

According to police, the suspect is a 30-year-old from Chachoengsao Province, believed to have been distressed after being dismissed from his job, leading him to attack two innocent people. He tried to flee the scene after committing the crime but was caught by bystanders.

Police will continue to investigate the suspect’s motive, and once the two victims’ conditions have stabilized, they will take their statements.