Drug-Addled Man Sets Fire to Family Home in Sisaket

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

A 32-year-old man suffering from drug-induced psychosis deliberately set fire to his family home in Prue Kan Subdistrict, Khukhan District, Sisaket Province, after allegedly failing to get money from his parents. The house was completely destroyed, but nearby homes were saved thanks to swift action by local fire crews.

The incident occurred in the afternoon of 16 July at House No. 2, Moo 7, where Mr. Apidet, 32, who has a documented psychiatric history stemming from prolonged drug abuse, had been living alone. His parents, Mr. Suwimon (61) and Mrs. Panida (59), were not at the home at the time of the incident due to ongoing domestic tensions.

Footage captured by neighbours shows flames engulfing the house as the fire rapidly spread. Witnesses reported that Mr. Apidet calmly walked out after setting the fire and went to a neighbouring house, where he asked his aunt, Ms. Yon, for food. As she prepared to give him a meal, she noticed smoke rising from the home and questioned him. According to her account, he said, “I burned the house down, no one wants to live with me anymore. My parents left me.”

She immediately raised the alarm and called emergency services, but the house was already engulfed by the time firefighters arrived. Crews managed to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent homes.

Mr. Suwimon, the father, spoke emotionally at the scene. “I had to move out and live with my sister because I was afraid of my son. When he’s in a psychotic state, he’s violent. We tried to get him treatment, but he always refused. He wouldn’t take his medication and often destroyed things in the house. He was always seeking money, but we just had to say no.”

Mrs. Panida, who had been working over a month in Chanthaburi province harvesting durian to support the family, rushed home upon hearing the news. “He’s hurt me in the past when I didn’t give him money,” she said. “I begged authorities before to help, and they detained him, but only for one day. They made me post bail. He never took his prescribed medication after that and now he’s burned the house down.”

Ms. Yon, the aunt, recounted her encounter with Mr. Apidet moments before the fire. “He seemed satisfied, even proud. He told me he was happy to burn it down. I called for help straight away, but it was too late.”

Local police from Prue Yai Police Station have charged Mr. Apidet with causing a public disturbance and arson. However, due to his psychiatric history, he is expected to be referred for compulsory treatment and rehabilitation.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-07-18