Picture courtesy of CH7.

 

A two-storey wooden house in Maha Sarakham province was reduced to charred remains after a 26-year-old man suffering from psychiatric illness deliberately set it on fire in a fit of rage and frustration at his mother’s behaviour.

 

The incident occurred around midday on 21 April, in Moo 5, Bo Yai Subdistrict, Borabue District. Firefighters from the local subdistrict administrative organisation (SAO), alongside neighbouring units, rushed to the scene following emergency reports of a house fire. Despite villagers’ efforts to contain the blaze using buckets of water, the fire quickly consumed the house due to its wooden structure.
 

Fire crews took approximately 45 minutes to extinguish the flames. Fortunately, nearby homes remained untouched. The house was left with nothing but 12 charred support beams standing.

 

According to relatives, the suspect, Mr. Chawanthorn, had long struggled with mental illness and was frequently in conflict with his mother, who often left home to drink. Family members revealed that he had previously threatened to burn down the house on multiple occasions. That morning, after another dispute and feeling slighted by his mother’s absence, he reportedly acted on those threats.

 

Witnesses said the man simply walked away from the scene after starting the fire. He was later apprehended by police at Ban Ploy School nearby. He is now in custody and undergoing drug testing. Authorities are preparing to formally charge him.

 

The suspect’s mother, speaking while visibly distressed and intoxicated, said she never imagined her son would go through with his threats. “I cooked rice and washed the dishes for him before I went out. I didn’t think he would burn the house down,” she said.

 

Mr. Jumpee Kaewkang, the assistant village head, confirmed that the suspect had a history of drug use dating back to his teenage years and had previously been treated at Khon Kaen Psychiatric Hospital. He had also violently attacked his parents in the past. Despite being detained by police on prior occasions, he was often released due to his mental health condition.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from CH7.

 

-- 2025-04-22

 

If they set all the condos on fire in Pattaya where the residnt had drinking issues, you'd be able to see the blaze from space.