Two Malaysian tourists set on fire in Bangkok receiving good care

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has offered an assurance that the two Malaysian tourists, who were set on fire by an unemployed former Thai boxer in front of a shopping mall in Bangkok on Saturday, are being taken good care of and are being treated at the Police General Hospital and Chulalongkorn General Hospital.

Tourism and Sports Permanent Secretary Natthriya Thaweevong said today that the conditions of the two Malaysian nationals, a man and a woman, have been improving, but they need to remain in hospital.

The woman, who is suffering from serious burns, is now capable of communicating through writing, she said, adding that her family wants to take her back to Malaysia for medical treatment. Doctors have, however, advised that she should remain in her current hospital until it is medically safe for her to travel.

Natthriya said that the ministry will cover their medical costs up to a maximum of 550,000 baht for each of the victims, including 50,000 baht in psychological compensation, on top of the victims’ insurance coverage.

She also said that the ministry has arranged transport and assigned police to escort their families between the hospitals and their hotels.

An initial police report indicates that the male perpetrator has admitted that he set fire to the two people because he was suffering stress, due to unemployment, and has no money. He is currently being held in a cell at the Bangkok South Criminal Court, pending trial.