Malaysians set on fire: What we know so far
The Bangkok Post reported that the suspect, Varakorn Pubthaisong, who also previously worked as a security guard, is believed to have acted out of frustration after losing his job.
Superintendent of Lumpini Police Station, Pol Col Yingyos Suwanno, was quoted as saying that both victims, a man and a woman, are in stable condition and will be asked to provide statements to the police.
The suspect is now facing charges of causing injury.
Varakorn, who is currently being held at the Lumpini police station, admitted to the police that he was a former boxer.
He also allegedly told authorities that the attack on the two Malaysians was random and driven by stress after being dismissed from his job as a security guard, which left him with no money.
At about 10pm on Thursday, along Ratchadamri Road, the suspect suddenly poured a chemical liquid from a plastic bottle onto the back of 26-year-old Ong Yik Leong and 27-year-old Gan Xiao Zhen, who were sitting on the steps outside a shopping mall.
The shocked tourists tried to flee but were chased by the suspect, who then set their bodies on fire.
Yik Leong was reportedly rushed to the intensive care unit at the Police General Hospital for treatment, while Xiao Zhen was admitted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.
Varakorn attempted to escape but was caught by the public at the scene.
A video of the incident later went viral, showing bystanders helping the victims by dousing them with water to extinguish the flames.
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