Thai boys set homeless man on fire in Bangkok, police to pursue legal action
Three boys aged 9–15 in Bangkok allegedly set a homeless man on fire while he slept under a bridge, filming the incident before fleeing. The 51-year-old victim survived, and police are investigating the case as attempted murder and property damage, with legal consequences likely to differ due to the suspects’ ages.
- Three boys aged nine to 15 were identified after a homeless man was set on fire while sleeping under a bridge in Bangkok’s Prawet district.
- The 51-year-old victim survived the attack and said the boys filmed the incident before fleeing the scene.
- Police said they intend to pursue legal action against the minors on charges of attempted murder and damage to public property.
BANGKOK, THAILAND: Three boys aged between nine and 15 have been identified in connection with a violent attack in Bangkok’s Prawet district, where a homeless man was set on fire on 19 January.
The victim, 51-year-old Karn, who lives under Ban Ma Bridge and collects recyclable waste for a living, escaped the flames with non-fatal injuries.
Attack reportedly filmed and preceded by prior bullying
Karn told local media he felt what seemed like cold water poured on him before flames erupted.
He said the attackers filmed the incident on their mobile phones before fleeing.
According to Karn and nearby residents, the same boys had harassed him previously, throwing rocks and verbally abusing him, despite him having no prior conflict with them.
Police investigate as attempted murder
Officers from Prawet Police Station have identified the suspects, but their identities are withheld under child protection laws.
Authorities intend to pursue legal action for attempted murder and damage to public property after a nearby water pipe was destroyed.
Due to the suspects’ ages, the legal penalties may differ from those applied to adults.
Similar Incidents Reported in Thailand
A comparable case occurred in Lampang province in August last year, when three Thai teenagers reportedly burned a disabled dog alive inside an abandoned temple bathroom.
The attackers filmed the act and shared it on social media, prompting complaints to the Watchdog Thailand Foundation and local police.
The teenagers were taken into custody, though the final legal outcomes were not publicly disclosed.
Another incident in Sa Kaeo in January last year involved five Thai teenagers, aged between 13 and 16, who were captured on security camera footage physically assaulting a homeless woman to death.
The footage showed the teenagers abandoning her body in a pond.
