Latest news with #GanXiaoZhen
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Families seek to bring home Malaysian couple set on fire in Bangkok
BANGKOK: The families of two Malaysian tourists who were set on fire in Bangkok have requested that Thai authorities allow them to be transferred back to Malaysia as soon as they are medically fit. Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, and her boyfriend Ong Yik Leong, 26, were attacked by an unemployed man who allegedly threw paint thinner on them before setting them on fire near a shopping mall on Ratchadamri Road on Thursday night. Gan Kin In, Gan's father, said his daughter had arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday for a holiday, just a day before the incident occurred. "My heart felt uneasy when Xiao Zhen told me a week ago that she was planning to come to Thailand for a holiday with her boyfriend," he told Bernama when met at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital on Saturday. "There have been too many incidents happening in Thailand this year, and I did not feel this was the right time to travel here. But Xiao Zhen convinced me that it was safe." The father said both families had requested a medical report on the victims' current condition during a short briefing with Thai authorities and hospital medical staff. He said the families hoped the victims could be transferred back to Malaysia as soon as possible due to accommodation constraints. "We just arrived in Bangkok this afternoon, and the Thai authorities arranged the briefing and visits for us. Apart from that, we also hope a medical report can be provided so that we can consult our own doctors in Malaysia regarding their current condition or any possibility of transferring them back soon," he said. He said Xiao Zhen, who is currently in the Burn Unit, suffered 36 per cent 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 around one month to recover," he said. Meanwhile, Yik Leong is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Police General Hospital. He is also in a stable condition and is not facing any life-threatening injuries. The 30-year-old man from Sa Kaeo province was apprehended by members of the public at the scene before being handed over to the police.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Two tourists set on fire outside Bangkok mall in random attack by man ‘frustrated over unemployment', police say
Two Malaysian tourists are in critical but stable condition after being doused with paint thinner and set on fire by an unemployed man outside a shopping centre in Bangkok on Thursday night. Thai police have arrested a 30-year-old suspect, identified as a former boxer named Varakorn Pubthaisong, who allegedly carried out the attack out of frustration over losing his job. The incident took place around 10pm on Thursday outside one of Bangkok's most popular shopping centres. The two victims, 26-year-old Ong Yik Leong and 27-year-old Gan Xiao Zhen, were sitting on the steps of the mall when an assailant approached them from behind and poured the paint thinner from a plastic bottle over them, according to Bangkok Post. The pair fled in shock but were chased down by the attacker, who then set them alight. Members of the public intervened and police say the suspect, Mr Varakorn, was detained at the scene. He was handed over to police and is now in custody at Lumpini Police Station. Lumpini police chief Yingyos Suwanno told repoters that Mr Varakorn had admitted to the attack during questioning. Police said he had recently been dismissed from his job as a security guard and was experiencing stress over his unemployment. The victims were rushed to hospital with serious burn injuries. Mr Ong was admitted to the intensive care unit at Police General Hospital, while Ms Gan was being treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Bong Yik Jui, Malaysia's acting chargé d'affaires in Thailand, said Mr Ong sustained second-degree burns across his upper body, both front and back. 'The injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening,' Mr Bong told Malaysian news agency Bernama. Ms Gan suffered second-degree burns covering 36 per cent of her body. Both are now in a critical but stable condition, according to the New Straits Times. Foreign minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said: 'Both victims are receiving treatment and are in stable condition. However, doctors have advised against their immediate return to Malaysia as burn wounds are pressure-sensitive and must be allowed to dry first.' He added that the families of both victims were expected to arrive in Bangkok on Saturday afternoon and would receive support from the Malaysian embassy and the foreign ministry's consular division. '[The suspect] is currently in Thai police custody, and the embassy is still seeking further clarification from the authorities on the next course of action,' he said about Mr Varakorn. Police say they are preparing to formally charge Mr Varakorn with assault and will be taking full statements from the victims once their medical condition permits. 'We would take statements from both victims once they are in stable condition,' Pol Col Yingyos told The Star. The attack was reportedly captured on video, though authorities have not yet confirmed whether the footage will be released.
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Two tourists set on fire outside Bangkok mall in random attack by man ‘frustrated over unemployment', police say
Two Malaysian tourists are in critical but stable condition after being doused with paint thinner and set on fire by an unemployed man outside a shopping centre in Bangkok on Thursday night. Thai police have arrested a 30-year-old suspect, identified as a former boxer named Varakorn Pubthaisong, who allegedly carried out the attack out of frustration over losing his job. The incident took place around 10pm on Thursday outside one of Bangkok 's most popular shopping centres. The two victims, 26-year-old Ong Yik Leong and 27-year-old Gan Xiao Zhen, were sitting on the steps of the mall when an assailant approached them from behind and poured the paint thinner from a plastic bottle over them, according to Bangkok Post. The pair fled in shock but were chased down by the attacker, who then set them alight. Members of the public intervened and police say the suspect, Mr Varakorn, was detained at the scene. He was handed over to police and is now in custody at Lumpini Police Station. Lumpini police chief Yingyos Suwanno told repoters that Mr Varakorn had admitted to the attack during questioning. Police said he had recently been dismissed from his job as a security guard and was experiencing stress over his unemployment. The victims were rushed to hospital with serious burn injuries. Mr Ong was admitted to the intensive care unit at Police General Hospital, while Ms Gan was being treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Bong Yik Jui, Malaysia 's acting chargé d'affaires in Thailand, said Mr Ong sustained second-degree burns across his upper body, both front and back. 'The injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening,' Mr Bong told Malaysian news agency Bernama. Ms Gan suffered second-degree burns covering 36 per cent of her body. Both are now in a critical but stable condition, according to the New Straits Times. Foreign minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said: 'Both victims are receiving treatment and are in stable condition. However, doctors have advised against their immediate return to Malaysia as burn wounds are pressure-sensitive and must be allowed to dry first.' He added that the families of both victims were expected to arrive in Bangkok on Saturday afternoon and would receive support from the Malaysian embassy and the foreign ministry's consular division. '[The suspect] is currently in Thai police custody, and the embassy is still seeking further clarification from the authorities on the next course of action,' he said about Mr Varakorn. Police say they are preparing to formally charge Mr Varakorn with assault and will be taking full statements from the victims once their medical condition permits. 'We would take statements from both victims once they are in stable condition,' Pol Col Yingyos told The Star.
CNA
4 days ago
- CNA
Two Malaysian tourists set on fire in downtown Bangkok; suspect in custody
BANGKOK: A suspect has been arrested after allegedly setting fire to two Malaysian tourists in downtown Bangkok on Thursday night (Aug 7), according to local media reports. The two Malaysian victims – identified as Ong Yik Leong, 26 and Gan Xiao Zhen, 27 – were reportedly sitting on the steps of Big C shopping centre on Ratchadamri Road when a man allegedly poured thinner on them from behind. The victims ran away in shock but the suspect – identified as Varakorn Pubthaisong, 30 – allegedly chased after them and set them alight, reported news outlet Bangkok Post. The tourists are in critical but stable condition, according to Bong Yik Jui, the Malaysian Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires ad interim to Thailand, as reported by Malaysian news agency Bernama. Ong was sent to the intensive care unit at Police General Hospital while Gan was sent to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. "Ong sustained second-degree burns across his upper body, both front and back. The injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening," Bong told Bernama on Friday. "Gan suffered 36 per cent, second-degree burns, but her condition is stable and conscious." Bangkok's Lumpini police chief Yingyos Suwanno said the victims would be asked to provide information in the process of charging the suspect, who is now in police custody at Lumpini police station. Varakorn allegedly attacked the victims out of frustration over being unemployed, Yingyos said. He reportedly told the police he was a former boxer who was sacked as a security guard. He had tried to flee the scene but was stopped by members of the public.
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Ex-boxer sets fire to 2 Malaysian tourists in downtown Bangkok
A former boxer and unemployed security guard has thrown thinner at two Malaysians and then set fire to the visitors out of frustration that he was out of a job. The incident took place at 10pm on Thursday when Varakorn Pubthaisong was behind Ong Yik Leong, 26, and Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, both sitting on the stairs of the Big C shopping centre on Ratchadamri Road, and poured the chemical solvent from a plastic bottle onto them, Lumpini police chief Pol Col Yingyos Suwanno said on Friday. The two tourists ran away in shock and the suspect chased them before setting fire to them, the officer added. Pol Col Yingyos said Mr Varakorn tried to escape but was captured by people at the scene. The tourists were slightly injured. Ong Yik Leong was sent for treatment at Police General Hospital and Gan Xiao Zhen at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Pol Col Yingyos said the two were safe and would be asked to provide information to the police as they were in the process of charging the suspect, now in police custody at Lumpini police station. Mr Varakorn admitted to the police that he was a former boxer and randomly hurt the two Malaysians due to stress after being sacked from work as a security guard, leaving him with no money. He faces an assault charge.
