Fireball Horror on Phahonyothin Road
Bangkok reels after a shocking scene unfolds beneath the Sena Nikom BTS station. Just after 10am, a 21-year-old man pours petrol over himself at a crowded bus stop and sets himself ablaze.
Flames engulf him in seconds. He sprints, burning, onto Phahonyothin Road. Students from a nearby university scatter in panic, their screams echoing as the horror unfolds.
Students Flee as Passers-by Race to Help
CCTV footage captures the terrifying moment. The young man, fire raging across his body, collides with a passing motorcycle. Two schoolgirls, sobbing, rush to a motorcyclist. “He poured petrol from a six-litre can and set himself on fire,” they cry.
Bystanders don’t hesitate. A driver screeches to a halt, grabbing cloths from his car to smother the flames. Security guard Wee, 47, dashes across the street with a fire extinguisher.
“I sprayed him while he was still moving,” Wee recalls, his voice shaking. “His body was covered in burns, his clothes almost gone.” Within two minutes, the fire is out—but the damage is devastating.
Police Probe Possible Relationship Drama
Police Colonel Marut Sudnongbua confirms the young man is rushed to hospital, unconscious but alive. His family suspects heartbreak drove him to this desperate act.
Witnesses tell police he was seen on the phone, agitated, moments before the fire. Officers find a yellow petrol can and a lighter at the scene.
Scorched Pavement and Chemical Stains
After the frantic rescue, the pavement is slick with fire-retardant chemicals. Burn marks and debris linger—a grim reminder of the morning’s tragedy.
Motorcyclist Miang, who saw it all, is still shaken. “I was terrified,” he admits. “It was like something out of a movie.”
Urgent Need for Mental Health Support
The incident throws a harsh spotlight on mental health. In Thailand, help is available through the Samaritans of Thailand at 02 713 6791 (English) and the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323.
As the young man fights for his life, those who witnessed the horror are left with haunting memories—and the question: what could drive someone so young to such a desperate, fiery act?
