Families urge Thailand to transfer Malaysian burn victims
The two, identified as Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, and boyfriend Ong Yik Leong, 26, were attacked by a jobless man who allegedly splashed thinner before setting them on fire near a shopping mall at Ratchadamri Road on Thursday night.
Gan Kin In, 80, said his daughter had arrived in Bangkok the night before for a holiday.
'I felt uneasy when Xiao Zhen told me a week ago that she planned to go to Thailand for a holiday with her boyfriend.
'There have been too many incidents happening there this year. I did not feel it was the right time to go but Xiao Zhen convinced me that it was safe,' he told Bernama when met at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital on Saturday.
Kin In said both families asked for a medical report on the victims' condition during a briefing with Thai authorities and hospital medical staff members.
He said the families hoped that the victims could be sent back to Malaysia as soon as possible due to accommodation constraints here.
'We hope a medical report can be provided so that we can consult our own doctors in Malaysia on their current condition,' he said.
Kin In said Xiao Zhen, who was admitted to the Burn Unit, suffered 36% second-degree burns to her face, chest and arm.
'She is conscious, in a stable condition and communicates by writing. The doctor informed us she might need about a month to recover,' he said.
Yik Leong, who was treated in intensive care at the Police General Hospital, is also reported to be in a stable condition.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 minutes ago
- The Star
Thailand files Ottawa Convention complaints over Cambodian landmine incidents
BANGKOK: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched diplomatic actions under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) in response to three recent landmine incidents involving Thai military personnel, which it says were caused by mines newly planted by Cambodian forces. The incidents occurred on July 16, July 23, and August 9, 2025, in the Chong Bok area and Chong An Ma area of Ubon Ratchathani Province, and the Chong Don Ao–Krisana area of Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province. Eleven Thai soldiers were seriously injured. The Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Office in Geneva submitted three separate letters to the President-designate of the 22nd Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention: July 23 letter – Thailand reported that Cambodian forces had violated Article 1 of the Convention, which prohibits the use or stockpiling of anti-personnel mines, in the Chong Bok area during a routine patrol. Investigations confirmed the mine was a recently planted PMN-2 type, a model held by Cambodia. Thailand requested the letter be circulated to all States Parties. July 24 letter – Thailand reported a second violation in the Chong An Ma area, also in Ubon Ratchathani. It further accused Cambodia of committing an act of aggression on the same day at 08:20 hrs, involving indiscriminate armed attacks on Thai territory, breaching Thailand's sovereignty and violating international law, including the UN Charter. August 9 letter – Thailand reported another violation in the Chong Don Ao–Krisana area, which had previously been cleared of mines. The investigation suggested the mine was recently planted. This incident came just two days after an Extraordinary General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where Thailand had proposed joint demining operations—an offer Cambodia declined. In addition, on July 24, 2025, the Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations in New York wrote to the UN Secretary-General requesting clarification from Cambodia under Article 8(2) of the Convention, which allows States Parties to seek explanations on compliance. Cambodia is required to respond via the UN Secretary-General. Thai envoys in Geneva and New York have also raised the issue with senior officials of several States Parties, the Ottawa Convention's Committee on Cooperative Compliance, and relevant civil society groups, urging them to take appropriate action. These procedures remain ongoing. The Ottawa Convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, or transfer of anti-personnel mines and requires their destruction. It has 165 States Parties. Thailand became the first South-East Asian country to join in 1999 and completed the destruction of all stockpiled mines in 2003, as well as those retained for research and training in 2019. Cambodia joined in 2000 but retains anti-personnel mines, including PMN-2 types, for research and training. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
5 minutes ago
- The Star
Investigation papers on Kepala Batas upside-down flag incident handed over to AGC, says the police
GEORGE TOWN: The investigation papers on an incident involving a man seen raising an upside-down Malaysian flag have been submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers, says Asst Comm Anuar Abd Rahman. The North Seberang Perai OCPD added that once given the directive, the police will charge the man. "There is one man who is the boss of the company. We are just waiting for the orders. "If it is given today, we will charge him tomorrow," he told the media after the hand-over ceremony of the new Penang police chief at the Senior Officers' Mess of the Royal Malaysia Police in Jalan Batu Gantung here on Monday (Aug 11). ACP Anuar said the man, who was arrested, is out on police bail. "We only arrested one person but recorded statements from around 10 people related to this case," he said. It was reported on Saturday (Aug 9) that the police were investigating an incident involving footage of a man seen raising an upside-down Malaysian flag. The footage is believed to have been recorded in Kepala Batas. It prompted an individual to lodge a report at the Kepala Batas police station at about 12.30pm on Saturday (Aug 9). ACP Anuar had said the case was being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988. The 21-second video went viral showing two men at a hardware shop here apparently intentionally displaying and flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down, drawing condemnation from Internet users. Following that, several non-governmental organisations and political parties, as well as Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican lodged police reports. Reezal Merican said the country has laws to protect the dignity and symbols of the nation, and therefore, proper investigations and action must be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur.
New Straits Times
35 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Two Malaysians believed to be held by Cambodian syndicates
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) is appealing to Cambodian authorities to rescue two Malaysians believed to be victims of job scam syndicates. MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the victims, a 25-year-old man, whose name is withheld, and another man identified as Chin, 35, are feared to be in danger after losing contact with their families in recent days. He said the first victim, who was previously employed in an IT company in Kuala Lumpur, had travelled to Cambodia on July 8 after being offered a customer service job. Neither he nor his family were aware of human trafficking activities in the country. "His father, Ravi (not real name), told us the family only found out about such scams a week after he left, when a friend advised them to seek the help of MHO. "His mother fainted upon learning of the situation," he said in a press conference today. Ravi said his son initially contacted the family to say he was safe, but later pleaded for help to return home after being subjected to abuse, long working hours, and penalties by the syndicate. "For the past three to four days, there has been no communication from him," he said, adding that the family lodged a police report on July 28. The second case involves Chin, who had left for Dubai on March 15 to work as a restaurant assistant but was later discovered to be in Cambodia. The family's last contact with him was on May 12, during which he appeared to be under watch. "According to a family friend, he attempted to escape and return to Malaysia, but communication ceased three days ago. "His last known location was near the Thailand-Cambodia border, at a place known as O-smach Resort," Hishamuddin said. MHO has decided to release Chin's photograph to the public in hopes of obtaining information on his whereabouts, while Ravi's son's image will be withheld as the organisation believes a rescue is possible without public disclosure. Hishamuddin urged anyone with knowledge of the victims' locations, to come forward. "Our concept is not to pay any ransom. The Cambodian task force has been very cooperative in conducting rescue operations once given accurate information," he said. He added that MHO is coordinating with the Malaysian Embassy in Cambodia to secure the victims' safe return.
