Bangkok acid-attack claims spring up on Internet

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An urban legend about a serial acid attacker has emerged on social media and been spread quickly among Thai netizens, with five incidents alleged to have occurred in Bangkok since last month.

The most detailed account came from a woman identified merely as Tao, who claimed to have been attacked twice on the night of May 11 within walking distance of Ratchaprasong intersection, first near the Arnoma Hotel and later at Gaysorn Plaza. She filed a complaint the next day with Lumpini police, who are looking into the matter.

According to Tao, she first felt something wet on her right calf, but did not pay attention to it, continuing to stroll until she felt a burning sensation. She said she stopped by a grocery store to buy drinking water to wash the wound, which she said had begun to develop into a reddish rash, before heading to nearby Police General Hospital to have it checked.

On the way to the hospital in front of Gaysorn Plaza, feeling something wet being sprayed on her face, she says she ducked and covered her face with her handbag. Tao said she was lucky because her eyeglasses protected her eye from the liquid. She said a doctor told her that her five wounds, including four small ones on her face, were chemical burns.

Recounting the attacks, which took place over a period of 20 minutes starting at around 10.30pm, Tao claims she vaguely remembered a tuk-tuk travelling past her, which was later seen on security camera footage shown to her through the coordination of the police. She said police theorised that it was a random attack, given that Tao was walking alone. Police have also taken into account her insistence that she had no conflicts with anyone.

The four other incidents, according to online postings, which do not cite any sources, took place later near the Pratu Nam intersection; in front of the Centre One Mall at Victory Monument; at Saphan Khwai intersection on the Big C Mall side, and at Central Lat Phrao.

-- The Nation 2012-06-09

There have been high profile acid attacks in the

UK over the years. Always a jilted boyfriend taking revenge.

It's a horrible, despicable thing to do, absolutely horrific. Anybody resorting to this is monstrous.

I hope this is an urban myth, the idea of someone random attacking strangers with acid is disturbing.

However, some people put a lot of effort in to being depraved, it would disgust me but not shock me.

There's always one.

I remember this happening about 5-6 years ago. Nothing ever eventuated though.

Such incidents would be reported in all news media - were they?

I know of a foreign girl who was attacked on Lad Prao road. Acid in the face and 1st degree burns. Reason? Absolutely no idea.

Was also on this thread from last year.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/498595-acid-attack-on-foreigners-at-asoke-bts-station/page__st__250__p__4710886__hl__+acid%20+asoke#entry4710886

It's unfair to call this an urban legend - that suggests it has been proven to be untrue. If several different people of different nationalities have called the police about the same issue it does suggest it's probably true.

I remember that a couple of months ago there was acid thrown from somewhere up the BTS-station Sukhumvit down the pedestrians pavement near the West End hotel

Would certainly be more believable if there was other sources than the Nation.

Can any one who can read Thai see if there is reports in the Thai press of these specific happenings.

Here is another link with the same news, also referring to the same problems in September 2011: http://tastythailand.com/acid-attacks-at-central-ladprao-and-4-other-places-in-bangkok/

A couple of days ago I heard a story of a Thai woman who seemed to have lost her hand-bag near Asoke in a drive-bye motor-bike attack by men with covered faces. However I cannot confirm this story.

Although this Asoke-corner seems to be a bit "saver" some time ago a katoey tried to guide away my attention by grabbing my hand to put against "her" breast and tried to get my wallet with the other. Months afterwards I pictured farangs fighting near the same spot with katoeys who robbed them: http://www.antoni-uni-photography.com/THAILAND/Law-enforcement-and-rescue/Police-matters/11463181_S5K9Vh#!i=806256935&k=kWGLj

Acid throwing seems to be an Asian cultural thing, not sure why, Hong Kong has also had problems with this in recent years (acid being thrown from rooftops).

A guy in our town who was very good looking was unfaithful to his girlfriend, said ex girlfriend tracked him down to a bar and tipped 1/2 a liter of acid over his head. 4 years later the poor bloke wanders round town with sunglasses and a hat on to hide what he can. The left side of his face looks like it was made of wax and just melted and ran downwards. It is hideous. The girlfirend did a runner and has never been caught.

An insensitive and very nonsensical post has been removed as well as the replies.

I know of a foreign girl who was attacked on Lad Prao road. Acid in the face and 1st degree burns. Reason? Absolutely no idea.

More crazy stuff.

I know a lecturer from Ramkhamheang University was sprayed in the face. She told me it happened so fast as she was walking along, and at first did not realise what was happening (just a bit of water, i.e no immediate cause for concern!) then the burning started. She said it was lucky she was carrying a bottle of water to wash her face, but she still had to go to hospital. (By the way, she is a foreigner). But, still it was just a random attack.

I'd love to catch this chicken_shit, and make him drink the acid.

I'd love to catch this chicken_shit, and make him drink the acid.

Sure, and a hundred Thai's will come out of nowhere to kick you till you can't walk or talk ever again because to them you are a farang hitting a Thai. Good luck with that.

Did the Nation reporter ever contact the Lumpini Police to check if the supposed incident actually was reported?

Why didn't you before posting here if your level of doubt is so strong?

Hmmm the Phantom of the opera right here in BKK.

There are some terrible, horrific websites online, with the themes of death, rapes and accidents.

One of my greatest fears is if someone nearest and dearest or myself became a victim of crime or is involved in an accident, and than suddenly it is discovered that the footage is uploaded online where our suffering becomes of entertainment value for the sickos and those of wrapped minds who actually enjoy this sort of thing.

Imagine if you had a family member or friend that was that either raped, murdered, seriously injured or smashed up in an accident and than the whole incident is placed online on some sick or social networking website for all the world to see?

This sort of thing should never be acceptable in a civilised society and yet, these inhuman websites and those that upload to them seem to be given a free hand to show and do exactly what they like without fear of prosecution.

These websites that glorify in suffering, death and gore should be banned and for those involved with these sites, should receive similar punishments, fines and jail sentences as those who delve in online child pornography and other sick stuff.

Edited June 9, 201214 yr by Beetlejuice

I'd love to catch this chicken_shit, and make him drink the acid.

Better to dip his little willie in it.

The article states that five (5) incidents have been reported in the "last month." Where are the other four?

Suspect arrested

http://www.thairath.co.th/content/region/267248

Suspect arrested

http://www.thairath....t/region/267248

Guess that puts the urban myth concept to rest. Must be the real thing. Wow really sick.....

Acid throwing seems to be an Asian cultural thing, not sure why, Hong Kong has also had problems with this in recent years (acid being thrown from rooftops).

Yes Malaysia someone from his motorbike... Don't forget the Middle-East. Mostly man to woman...

You can do a simple internet search for 'bangkok acid attack'.

"Bangkok Forum: Acid attack in Bangkok, warning to travellers."

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293916-i3687-k4849284-Acid_attack_in_Bangkok_warning_to_travellers-Bangkok.html

A suspect has been arrested according to the other rag.

Acid throwing seems to be an Asian cultural thing, not sure why, Hong Kong has also had problems with this in recent years (acid being thrown from rooftops).

Yes Malaysia someone from his motorbike... Don't forget the Middle-East. Mostly man to woman...

And Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

"Scavenger admits to 30 'acid' attacks": Bangkok Post

Who had question-marks about the truth behind the stories in Internet???