Enhanced Tourist Safety Planned by Thailand Following Torching Incident Involving Malaysian Duo
In the aftermath of a shocking attack on two Malaysian tourists in downtown Bangkok, the Thai government and authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing safety measures in popular tourist areas.
The unfortunate incident occurred on the stairs of the Big C retail store on Ratchadamri Road, leaving victims One Yik Leong and Gan Xiao Zhen with second-degree burns over a significant portion of their bodies. Leong sustained injuries to the upper part of his body, while Zhen suffered burns over 36% of her face, chest, and an arm. Both victims were rushed to separate hospitals and are currently receiving treatment in the intensive care units at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Police General Hospital, respectively.
The attack has garnered international attention, featuring prominently in overseas news reports such as Hong Kong's South China Morning Post and The Independent in the United Kingdom. The Malaysian Foreign Ministry has expressed full trust in Thai authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
Despite the recent incident, the Thai government is not implementing drastic changes in policy. Instead, authorities are stressing the importance of continued vigilance, adherence to existing safety advice, and monitoring of travel advisories issued by foreign governments for the latest updates.
To maintain safety in Bangkok, authorities are taking several measures. These include regular police presence and surveillance in popular tourist locations, warnings issued by foreign embassies and travel advisories detailing safer areas and precautions to take, public advisories encouraging tourists to be cautious of scams and to protect valuables, and enforcement of general safety laws such as use of pedestrian bridges, helmets on motorcycles, and traffic regulations.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry has also made a commitment to improve safety measures in popular tourist areas in Bangkok. Furthermore, the government of Thailand has announced that it will seek financial compensation for the two burn victims.
The suspect in the attack, Varakorn Pubthaisong, a native of Sa Kaeo province and a retired boxer, allegedly threw thinner on the victims and set them on fire. According to reports, he acted out of frustration over being unemployed. The attacker was caught and held by other people at the scene and later handed over to Lumpini police.
The families of the injured tourists flew in from Malaysia on Saturday and have already left. Despite their wish to have the victims transferred to Malaysia for treatment, they will remain in Thai hospitals for about a month.
Despite the recent incident, Bangkok remains mostly safe for tourists, with violent crimes against tourists remaining rare. The Thai government and authorities continue to encourage travelers to visit the city, while advising vigilance, especially in crowded places or at night, and recommending travelers follow safety guidelines such as using hotel safes, avoiding scams, and staying informed about situational updates.
- The Malaysian tourists' unfortunate encounter with crime and justice in Bangkok has prompted discussions about their lifestyle and general news, with international media outlets covering the incident extensively.
- With safety measures being enhanced and public advice issued, travelers are still encouraged to visit Bangkok, taking crime-and-justice incidents as an exception, as the city continues to maintain a relatively peaceful and tourist-friendly environment.
