Pictures courtesy of Amarin

 

A man was swiftly arrested after allegedly dousing his girlfriend with petrol and setting her alight inside a Nakhon Sawan supermarket on 1 December 2025, causing panic among shoppers and leaving the victim with severe burns. Police said the suspect attempted to escape by jumping into the Chao Phraya River before being pulled out and detained. The victim, 33-year-old salesworker Nicha, known as Nat, was rescued by bystanders who extinguished the flames before she was rushed to Sawanpracharak Hospital.

 

Investigators from Mueang Nakhon Sawan Police Station, led by Pol Lt Natthee Saengphantha, responded at 17:0 after receiving reports that a man had poured petrol over his girlfriend and ignited it. Senior officers, including Pol Col Somchai Chankong, acting superintendent of the station, arrived at the supermarket on Krailas Road in Moo 10, Pak Nam Pho. Witnesses said the suspect, identified as Apichai Chantrak, had argued loudly with the victim outside the store before pulling out petrol he brought with him and setting her on fire.

 

Bystanders quickly contained the flames and helped bring the woman to hospital, where police said she sustained extensive burns and remained in critical condition. Officers then sought and obtained an arrest warrant after confirming the suspect’s identity and his attempted flight from the scene. Provincial police commander Pol Maj Gen Narewich Sukonthawit ordered teams from both provincial and city investigation units to intensify the search, describing the case as particularly serious.

 

A breakthrough came at around 20:00, when members of the public reported a distressed man shouting near Wat Kha community by the Chao Phraya River. The caller said the man claimed he had killed his wife before jumping into the river in an apparent suicide attempt. Officers arrived quickly, pulled him from the water and detained him for questioning, during which he reportedly admitted he acted out of jealousy.

 

Police stated that Apichai was immediately transferred to investigators at Mueang Nakhon Sawan Police Station to face legal proceedings. Officers have charged him with attempted murder, noting the gravity of the attack and the life-threatening injuries inflicted. The investigation is continuing as police await updates on the victim’s medical condition and prepare evidence for prosecution.

 

Amarin reported that authorities say they will continue gathering witness statements and forensic evidence from the supermarket. Police are also monitoring the victim’s recovery, as her condition may affect the course of the case.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Police arrested a man who set his girlfriend on fire inside a Nakhon Sawan supermarket before fleeing.

• The victim suffered severe burns but was saved when bystanders extinguished the flames.

• The suspect was found at the Chao Phraya River after an attempted suicide and now faces an attempted murder charge.

 

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-12-03

 

 

Should have left him to drown........

What a pathetic man.