SONKHLA – Police have arrested a 56-year-old man accused of pouring lubricant oil on a 2-year-old female Siberian Husky named Molly, then setting her on fire. Molly later died from extreme burn injuries. The suspect, Mr. Charoen Khamwun, admitted he acted in anger after finding his fighting cock hurt and believing the dog attacked it.
The attack happened before dawn on February 13 in Phawong subdistrict, Mueang Songkhla district. Since then, the case has sparked heavy backlash online and renewed pressure for tougher animal protection laws in Thailand.
Police say Molly belonged to 52-year-old Somchai Chanawanno and lived as a family pet. Around 3:00 a.m., Molly and another Husky named Messi got out of the home. Later, CCTV footage showed the dogs slipping through a space under a door.
After leaving the house, Molly wandered onto nearby property where Charoen kept fighting cocks. In his statement, he told investigators he saw one of his birds injured inside a cage and noticed Molly close by. Because of that, he assumed the dog had bitten or attacked the rooster.
Police reports describe the steps that followed:
- Charoen went back to his house and grabbed lubricant oil, described in reports as old engine oil or lube oil.
- Next, he poured the oil over much of Molly’s body while she could not get away.
- Then, he lit a piece of paper and tossed it onto the oil-soaked dog, setting her on fire.
- Molly ran, but she soon collapsed near a local pond with severe burns across much of her body.
Neighbors put out the flames. Still, Molly suffered fifth-degree burns, dead tissue, and muscle damage. Residents found her on February 15 near the water, where she likely went because of pain and thirst. Somchai rushed her to a local clinic first, then moved her to the animal hospital at Prince of Songkla University for advanced care.
Even with treatment, Molly died before she could be transferred for additional help. Afterward, her owner held a cremation ceremony and mourned the loss of a gentle dog the family loved.
Arrest and possible penalties
Songkhla Provincial Police arrested Charoen Khamwun on February 21 or 22. Investigators followed tips, reviewed evidence, and checked CCTV footage and traces from the area. Pol Lt Gen Piyawat Chalermsei, chief of Provincial Police Region 9, led the case.
Police listed several items tied to the investigation, including:
- A black plastic container believed to have held the oil
- Burned animal hair and pieces linked to Molly’s collar on a concrete road near the scene
- The injured fighting cock, which supported the suspect’s claimed motive
After his arrest, Charoen joined the police in crime scene re-enactments at three spots: the coop area where the conflict allegedly began, the place where oil was poured, and the location where the fire was lit.
He now faces serious allegations under Thai law, including:
- Animal cruelty, under the Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Provision of Animal Welfare Act, can carry up to three years in prison and fines
- Arson or property damage, tied to harm to another person’s property, which could bring additional penalties of up to seven years
- Other claims are linked to intentionally causing death
Investigators described the act as planned revenge, not a split-second reaction.
Public outrage grows, calls for tougher animal welfare laws
News of Molly’s death spread fast on social media. Hashtags such as #JusticeForMolly trended, as animal welfare groups and supporters shared images and videos showing the scale of her injuries. The Watchdog Thailand Foundation helped push the story into the national spotlight.
Online comments showed deep anger and disgust. Many people called the attack torture and urged courts to impose the harshest punishment allowed. At the same time, pet owners and public figures pointed to gaps in enforcement, saying animal cruelty cases too often end in small fines instead of jail time.
The case also brought attention to the ongoing conflict between pets and livestock in some areas. Cockfighting remains common in certain communities, while large dog breeds such as Siberian Huskies have become more popular in towns and suburbs.
Royal patronage was offered, but Molly died before the transfer
The case took another turn when His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn accepted Molly under royal patronage on February 19, following requests from her owner and animal advocates. The Royal Secretary arranged a plan to move Molly to Bangkok for higher-level treatment.
However, Molly died only hours before that transfer could happen. Even so, the king’s response signaled royal concern for animal welfare and increased national focus on the case. For Somchai, the gesture offered some comfort during a devastating loss.
As police continue their work, Molly’s death has become a painful symbol of what unchecked anger can do. Animal rights groups are pushing for stronger penalties, tighter enforcement, and better education on responsible pet care and safer ways to handle conflicts with animals.
For now, many in Songkhla and across Thailand continue to grieve Molly, while also hoping the case leads to real progress on animal cruelty laws.
