A foreign man reportedly set fire to his own condominium in Pattaya, leaving three people injured after suffering smoke inhalation. The incident took place in the early hours of 21 April, at a condominium in Central Pattaya, where police and rescue workers responded to reports of a fire inside a residential unit. Smoke was seen billowing from the room as emergency teams moved quickly to contain the blaze.

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Inside the property, responders found three injured occupants, believed to be a father, mother and child, all affected by smoke inhalation. Rescue workers administered first aid at the scene before transporting them to a nearby hospital for further treatment. Their conditions have not yet been officially confirmed.

According to initial reports, the foreign occupant is suspected of deliberately starting the fire after becoming convinced that someone was about to harm him. Authorities said the man appeared to be suffering from paranoia at the time of the incident.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire quickly under control and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring units. Despite this, the incident caused alarm among residents, with some evacuated as a precaution while emergency crews secured the area.

Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and to assess the mental state of the individual involved. Officers have withheld the identities and nationalities of those affected. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues, including confirmation of the suspect’s status and any legal action.

Picture courtesy of Responders

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Adapted by ASEAN Now 21 Apr 2026

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Is there something in the water in the Pattaya area that makes people go insane? Honestly, every time I open a new ASEAN NOW, there’s something absolutely crazy going on there. I know, for sure, that there are some wonderful people living there, but it seems like it has turned into a land many Thai people have a hard time recognizing!

Update

Irish Man Sets Fire to Condo in Pattaya, Three Rescued

A 50-year-old Irish man, identified only as Carl Miller, set fire to his own condominium room in Pattaya in the early hours of 21 April 2026, triggering a dramatic rescue that left three people suffering from smoke inhalation. Emergency services evacuated residents and brought the blaze under control within 20 minutes, preventing further casualties. The fire broke out on the fourth floor of a seven-storey building in Soi Pattaya Klang 4, Near Foodland, Pattaya, Chon Buri.

Police, firefighters and rescue workers were called at 03:45am after reports of a foreign man behaving erratically and starting a fire inside his room. Flames and thick smoke quickly spread through the corridor, forcing a chaotic evacuation of residents. Fire crews used water hose-line to contain the blaze, while ventilation equipment was deployed to clear lingering smoke.

Inside the room, authorities found fire damage in the living room area and extensive smoke damage throughout. A kitchen knife was on a table and a lighter on the floor, both kept as evidence. Firefighters forced their way through flames and smoke to rescue three people trapped inside: an eight-year-old boy, his 26-year-old mother and the Irish man believed to have started the fire. The man was found on a balcony, reportedly talking to himself and appearing as though he might jump.

All three were safely removed but showed signs of smoke inhalation and the woman and child were taken to hospital for treatment. According to the woman, her husband had been experiencing delusions, speaking to himself in a mirror and believing someone intended to harm him. She said he had been walking around with a knife, locked her and their child inside the room and then used a lighter to ignite the fire.

Condominium staff said the woman, Ms. Kewalin, had earlier contacted them seeking help, warning that her husband was behaving abnormally and could become dangerous. Security personnel attempted to check the room but received no response at the door and shortly afterwards the fire broke out.

Police have detained the man, after initial treatment at the scene, for questioning and to allow him to calm down. Initial investigations suggest the fire was deliberately set during a state of delusion, with damage estimated at 500,000 baht. Forensic officers are being brought in to confirm the exact cause, and legal proceedings are expected to follow.

Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

Adapted by ASEAN Now SiamChon 21 Apr 2026

It is fortunate that no one was killed or more seriously injured. Let us hope that the poor guy gets the help he clearly needs.

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

According to initial reports, the foreign occupant is suspected of deliberately starting the fire after becoming convinced that someone was about to harm him. Authorities said the man appeared to be suffering from paranoia at the time of the incident.

Drug induced paranoia perhaps

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Drug induced paranoia perhaps

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Drug induced paranoia perhaps

Ice Baby ice

28 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Irish Man

Thanks for the second update. Now it makes more sense.

14 minutes ago, wombat said:

Ice Baby ice

highly irresponsible with a child in the house.

1 hour ago, RMK54 said:

Is there something in the water in the Pattaya area that makes people go insane? Honestly, every time I open a new ASEAN NOW, there’s something absolutely crazy going on there. I know, for sure, that there are some wonderful people living there, but it seems like it has turned into a land many Thai people have a hard time recognizing!

1 hour ago, RMK54 said:

Is there something in the water in the Pattaya area that makes people go insane? Honestly, every time I open a new ASEAN NOW, there’s something absolutely crazy going on there. I know, for sure, that there are some wonderful people living there, but it seems like it has turned into a land many Thai people have a hard time recognizing!

1 hour ago, RMK54 said:

Is there something in the water in the Pattaya area that makes people go insane? Honestly, every time I open a new ASEAN NOW, there’s something absolutely crazy going on there. I know, for sure, that there are some wonderful people living there, but it seems like it has turned into a land many Thai people have a hard time recognizing!

No , there's nothing wrong with the water in Pattaya it's the weakened pot laws that has encouraged all the druggo desperados from countries where laws are tougher and because they are cheaper are overdosing on drug cockals that send them crazy

These sort of paranoia behaviours can not be put down to cannabis. These symptoms look more like merhamphetamine and alcohol mix overdose.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Foreign Man Sets Fire to Condo in Pattaya,

Ha ha, another psycho foreigner

Yes Pattaya seems to be the place for getting a bad reputation

where Foreigners experience problems falling off Balconies under the influence of drugs. Drunken Ness fighting could go on

Its no wonder it's called the Sin city of the world always in the Media for the wrong reasons 😱

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

highly irresponsible with a child in the house.

Ah you forget that Pattaya is a family resort!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Whatever his problems he should never have endangered others in this way. Unforgivable.

Farang has to live with Thais and loses it...... I am not surprised

Somebody stole his Lucky Charms. They are magically delicious!

Was that his Son and the Mother in the story ?

2 hours ago, julsmark said:

These sort of paranoia behaviours can not be put down to cannabis. These symptoms look more like merhamphetamine and alcohol mix overdose.

Agreed, but cannabis IS attracting a lot of undesirable types.

3 hours ago, Homburg said:

It is fortunate that no one was killed or more seriously injured. Let us hope that the poor guy gets the help he clearly needs.

Stop making excuses for these self-indulgent narcissistic individuals. If they have mental problems then they shouldn't be allowed to travel. I wonder if you woud be so generous with your "poor guy" assessment if you landed up in hospital with permanent health issues because of his irresponsible action. Unfortunatley your view is shared by many which, more than often, results in him getting off with a slap on the wrists and back on the streets the next day.

anybody did the math on this one

26 year old woman, 8 year old son = gave birth at 18 - 9 months, so statutory rape at 17 ?

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45 minutes ago, Jimbolkb said:

anybody did the math on this one

26 year old woman, 8 year old son = gave birth at 18 - 9 months, so statutory rape at 17 ?

Isn't 16yo legal age for consent in Thailand?

Update

Fire Alarm Failure During Pattaya Condo Blaze Raises Safety Fears

Pictures courtesy of TNR

A malfunctioning fire alarm system has raised serious safety concerns after a blaze at a Pattaya condominium in the early hours of 21 April 2026, where three people were trapped inside a burning unit. The fire broke out overnight while most residents were asleep, the building’s alarm system reportedly failed to sound, causing panic among occupants as smoke spread through the corridors on that floor.

Emergency services rushed to the condominium, where the fire had started on the fourth floor. Black smoke quickly filled the corridors, forcing firefighters to use breathing apparatus before entering to carry out rescues. Residents were evacuated amid confusion, with many unaware of the fire until smoke became visible.

The failure of the alarm system has become a central concern in the aftermath of the incident. Although fire alarms had reportedly been installed on every floor, they did not activate during the blaze. This meant there was no immediate building-wide warning, potentially delaying evacuation and increasing the risk to those inside.

Condominium manager Ms Thanyarat, 48, confirmed that the alarm did not sound, even as the fire intensified. Authorities have since summoned her for questioning as part of an investigation into whether the system was properly maintained and functioning at the time. Officials are now examining if negligence or technical failure contributed to the malfunction.

The incident has prompted wider concerns about building safety standards in Pattaya, particularly in older or privately managed condominiums. Experts warn that non-functioning alarm systems significantly increase the risk of injury or death in residential fires, especially during night-time incidents when occupants are less alert.

Authorities are expected to carry out a detailed inspection of the building’s fire safety systems, including alarms, detectors and emergency response procedures. Legal action may follow depending on the findings, with officials stressing that proper maintenance of fire protection systems is critical to preventing future incidents.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Thai newsroom 21 Apr 2026

5 hours ago, RMK54 said:

Is there something in the water in the Pattaya area that makes people go insane?

I would class myself as Special, not necessarily Insane :) But open to upgrade :)

49 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Isn't 16yo legal age for consent in Thailand?

I think it depends, something to do with parents consent but i'm not sure.

A nieghbour that lives not far from me there's a girl with 2 kids still goes to school, she'd have been about 14 when first giving birth, this is in rural thailand tho.....it's not uncommon.

1 hour ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Agreed, but cannabis IS attracting a lot of undesirable types.

Maybe a few, but YouTube and social media attracts the vast majority of these idiots.

Update

Video of emergency responders getting police to remove the Irishman, after he was located and secured on the balcony.

Video courtesy of Pattaya Rescue

The more I see this video, the more I dislike this Irishman. Obviously he can afford to pay the rent for a nice apartment. Rescue workers had to risk their lives to get this "drama queen" on his feet and out of the apatment. Irishman is an overgrown baby adult. If he can't get his own way he sets the place on fire and does his little sit down routine.

11 hours ago, Celsius said:

Thanks for the second update. Now it makes more sense.

I was betting on Liechtenstein.

8 hours ago, Jimbolkb said:

anybody did the math on this one

26 year old woman, 8 year old son = gave birth at 18 - 9 months, so statutory rape at 17 ?

It being Pattaya, maybe the child's father is someone else, perhaps a "friend" from the village upcountry? 😉