Malaysian tourists with burn injuries face long recovery, mounting expenses

New Straits Times

2 days ago

BANGKOK: The families of two Malaysian tourists set ablaze here on August 7 fear their medical expenses could exceed insurance coverage.
Gan Kin In, 80, said he and his wife, Kek Ley Lan, expressed gratitude to the Malaysian and Thai governments, along with other relevant agencies, for their assistance following the incident involving their daughter and her boyfriend.
"We have been in Bangkok for the past week.
"The Malaysian government, through the embassy, has given us constant support, while the Thai side, through the Tourist Police and the Tourism and Sports Ministry, has provided transportation and accommodation," he told Bernama on Friday.
The two Malaysians, Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, and her boyfriend Ong Yik Leong, 26, were attacked by an unemployed man who allegedly doused them with thinner before setting them alight near a shopping mall on Ratchadamri Road at about 10 pm on Aug 7.
However, Kin In said they were worried about the medical expenses, which had already reached around 150,000 baht after just over a week of treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.
He said the Thai government had agreed to provide total compensation of up to 550,000 baht per person.
"We are worried that the total amount of compensation may not be enough to cover the total medical costs here, as the charges are quite high," he said.
Kin In, a retiree, said that doctors were not optimistic about allowing the victims to be transferred back to Malaysia anytime soon.
"Yesterday (on Thursday), Xiao Zhen had a fever and high blood pressure, but she has recovered today.
"Her condition is now more stable, and if her health permits, doctors will carry out minor skin operations in phases," he said.
In the latest update on Xiao Zhen's condition, Kin In said doctors estimated it would take around two months for her to recover after the skin graft procedures, which would need to be done in stages to minimise pain and discomfort.
Meanwhile, Yik Leong, who is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Police General Hospital, is also reported to be in a stable condition and is being cared for by his aunt, Ong Siew Kien.
– Bernama