Two Malaysian tourists are in critical but stable condition following a horror attack outside a busy Bangkok shopping mall on Thursday evening. The victims, Ong Yik Leong, 26, and Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, were splashed with paint thinner and lit on fire by a 30-year-old man named Varakorn Pubthaisong, an ex-boxer who recently lost his employment.
The attack occurred at about 10 pm as the duo were resting on the mall stairs when Varakorn allegedly approached from behind them and splashed the combustible liquid on them. The victims ran away initially, but the attacker pursued them and lit the paint thinner, leaving them with serious burn wounds.
Citizens who were passing by intervened rapidly, holding the suspect until police came. Varakorn was arrested at Lumpini Police Station and has confessed to attacking in questioning. Officials think his violent reaction was triggered by anger at being unemployed after he was fired from his security guard position.
Both victims were taken to Bangkok hospitals. Ong was admitted to the Police General Hospital intensive care unit with second-degree burns over his upper body, both front and back. Gan is hospitalized at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, with second-degree burns over 36 percent of her body.
Malaysian authorities have been keeping close tabs on the situation. Bong Yik Jui, Malaysia's acting chargé d'affaires in Thailand, confirmed that although injuries are serious, they are not fatal. Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan also stated that doctors recommended that the victims postpone going back home since their burn injuries require treatment and time to heal.
Ong's and Gan's respective families are likely to arrive in Bangkok shortly and will be assisted by the Malaysian embassy and consular offices. Thai police meanwhile are still working to prepare proper charges against Varakorn for assault, subject to statements from the victims once their health stabilizes.
Police chief Yingyos Suwanno has validated that the suspect freely admitted to the crime, citing the emotional pressure of losing his job as the motive. The brutality of the attack and the fact that it was said to be caught on film has sent shockwaves throughout the community. However, no one has announced if or when the footage would be released to the public.
Authorities are also probing any additional information that may shed light on the motive for the heinous act, although available evidence points primarily towards the personal issues of the suspect. Public security remains a worry, particularly in busy locations like shopping malls where unsuspecting tourists could become victims of similar random attacks.
This incident highlights the urgent need for support systems for individuals facing unemployment and mental health challenges, to prevent such tragedies from occurring. Meanwhile, both Malaysian tourists fight for recovery as authorities work to bring justice.
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