The families of two Malaysian Chinese tourists who were severely burned in a petrol attack in Bangkok, Thailand, are urging Thai authorities to arrange for their immediate repatriation to Malaysia for treatment as soon as their conditions permit.
Gan Kin In, 80, the father of 27-year-old victim Gan Xiao Zhen, spoke to Bernama at Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Thailand. He said his daughter had arrived in Bangkok the night before the incident to enjoy a holiday.
“A week ago, Xiao Zhen told me she planned to travel to Thailand with her boyfriend. I was worried because many incidents have happened there this year, and I felt it wasn’t the right time. But Xiao Zhen assured me it was safe,” he shared.
The two families have been in discussions with Thai authorities and the hospital medical team, requesting medical reports on the victims’ conditions. Due to inconvenience with local accommodations, the families hope to have the victims transferred back to Malaysia as soon as possible.
“We want the medical reports so that once back home, we can consult with doctors here to better understand their current health status,” Yan said.
Gan Kin In also revealed that his daughter, who is currently in the burns ward, has suffered second-degree burns covering 36% of her face, chest, and arms.
“She is conscious, stable, and able to communicate by writing. Doctors have told us that her recovery may take about a month,” he added.
The incident occurred late on August 7 in downtown Bangkok, where 26-year-old Ong Yik Leong and 27-year-old Gan Xiao Zhen were sitting on the steps outside a Big C supermarket. A man poured a bottle containing thinner on them and then set them on fire as they tried to escape.
Both victims were seriously burned and taken to intensive care units—Wang Yiliang to Police General Hospital and Yan Xiaozhen to Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital—for treatment.
