Commuters in Bangkok were left horrified after a 21-year-old man set himself on fire near the Land Development Department, causing chaos during the busy morning rush hour. The shocking act, which unfolded beneath the Sena Nikom BTS station, left witnesses trembling as bystanders scrambled to save his life.
Witnesses rush to help as flames engulf young man
CCTV footage released around 10am captured the heart-stopping moment the man, completely engulfed in flames, ran frantically from a bus stop before collapsing in the middle of the road. Screams filled the air as two schoolgirls fled in terror, and a motorbike rider narrowly avoided colliding with the burning man.
Several passers-by immediately sprang into action. One motorist stopped his car and attempted to smother the flames using a piece of fabric, while a nearby security guard sprinted over with a fire extinguisher. Within minutes, the blaze was put out, and emergency responders rushed the victim to hospital for urgent treatment.
At the scene, investigators found a yellow six-litre fuel container and a lighter, both believed to have been used to ignite the fire. The ground was later covered in chemical residue from extinguishers, marking the spot where the tragedy occurred.
Police probe emotional distress as possible motive
Police Colonel Marut Sudnongbua, Superintendent of Phahonyothin Police Station, confirmed the victim’s age and revealed that he remained unconscious but alive upon arrival at the hospital. Early investigations suggest the act may have been motivated by emotional turmoil linked to a relationship issue.
“Family members believe the incident could be connected to a dispute or emotional distress involving his girlfriend,” Colonel Marut said.
A motorcycle rider named Miang, who witnessed the horrifying scene, recalled how two distraught female students ran to him crying. “I was terrified. I’ve never seen anything like this—it was like a scene from a film,” he said.
Another witness, Wee, a 47-year-old security guard who used the extinguisher to put out the fire, said the man was still conscious when the flames were extinguished. “He was badly burned and his clothes were almost gone, but he was still moving,” Wee recalled.
Authorities await victim’s recovery for further questioning
Police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances leading up to the incident. Officers said the young man was seen speaking on the phone moments before the blaze and appeared visibly upset.
Authorities are waiting for his condition to stabilise before conducting interviews with him and his family to determine the exact motive behind the self-immolation attempt.
The shocking event has once again raised awareness of Thailand’s growing mental health crisis among young people, with experts urging those struggling with emotional distress to seek professional help rather than suffer in silence.