BANGKOK — A violent incident unfolded outside the CentralWorld shopping centre at the Ratchaprasong intersection in central Bangkok on August 7, 2025, when passersby restrained a man after he set fire to two Malaysian tourists.
Tourists and locals were left in shock after a Thai man attacked a Malaysian couple with paint thinner, then set them alight late Thursday night. The attack happened outside a busy shopping mall, and people nearby quickly stepped in to stop the man and waited for the police.
Lumpini police arrived at around 10:00 PM. They identified the attacker as Warakorn Pabtaisong, 30, from Sa Kaeo. Officers found a plastic bottle containing paint thinner and a lighter at the scene.
The Malaysian couple, both in their twenties, suffered burns on their faces and bodies and were taken to the Police Hospital for urgent care. Rescue workers treated the couple at the scene before transporting them to the hospital.
Eyewitnesses said they saw Warakorn speaking briefly with the couple before they went their separate ways. The tourists sat on the steps outside the mall, and Warakorn came back, poured paint thinner over them, and used a lighter to set them on fire as they tried to escape. People close by acted fast, restraining him until officers arrived.
During police questioning, Warakorn admitted to the attack and said he didn’t know the victims. He blamed stress from being unemployed and not having eaten that day for what he did.
Police confirmed Warakorn had previously worked as a security guard but lost his job recently. He struggled to find work and said hunger made his stress worse, leading to his violent outburst.
Investigators are charging him with attempted bodily harm. Drug tests on Warakorn came back negative. Police are working with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for further support and to continue the investigation.
The two Malaysian tourists are now in stable condition. Authorities will interview them again as the case develops.
Violent attacks on tourists in Bangkok are rare but not nonexistent. Most incidents involving tourists are non-violent, such as petty theft, pickpocketing, and scams, particularly in crowded areas like Chatuchak Market, Khao San Road, and the Grand Palace.
Last month, a gunman killed five people, including four security guards and one market seller, and injured two others at this popular tourist market in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The attacker, motivated by a personal dispute with a guard, died by suicide.
While Bangkok remains a major tourist destination, these incidents highlight the need for caution. The Australian, UK, and Canadian governments recommend exercising a high degree of caution due to risks of terrorism, civil unrest, and occasional violent crime.
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