2 Malaysian tourists set on fire in Bangkok by ‘frustrated, jobless' suspect
Malaysian tourists sitting in front of the popular Big C shopping centre in Bangkok,
Thailand , were set on fire on Thursday night, with a suspect later arrested by police.
The pair was reportedly in critical but stable condition, according to news agency Bernama, which cited the Malaysian embassy's Chargé d'Affaires ad interim to Thailand Bong Yik Jui.
Bangkok's Lumpini police chief Yingyos Suwanno told local media that the suspect, identified as Varakorn Pubthaisong, 30, acted out of frustration over unemployment.
Varakorn told police he was a former boxer and later lost his job as a security guard.
He was stopped by members of the public after trying to flee the crime scene.
A screengrab of the suspect, later identified as Varakorn Pubthaisong, a former boxer. Photo: Handout
The two Malaysian victims, Ong Yik Leong, 26 and Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, were reportedly resting on steps outside the Big C shopping centre opposite Central World mall, when Varakorn allegedly poured thinner on them from behind.
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