A 28-year-old Thai man set his family’s pickup truck on fire and caused significant damage to their home during a violent outburst, allegedly fueled by illegal drugs, in the Takhian Tia area near Pattaya. The incident occurred late at night when Banglamung police were alerted to the destruction of property. They quickly responded to the scene, accompanied by local rescue workers.
Upon arriving, authorities found local residents working together to put out a fire that had engulfed a gray Isuzu pickup truck. Despite their efforts, the vehicle was completely destroyed. The fire also caused damage to the house, including the walls, a fan, and other household items. The suspect, the homeowner’s 28-year-old son, had fled the scene before police arrived, leaving behind an angry crowd of neighbors condemning his actions.
The suspect’s mother, 48-year-old Supawadee, described her son as a beloved child who she had always tried to support. She expressed disbelief that he had fallen into drug addiction and become violent. According to Supawadee, the trouble began earlier when her son was searching for a rare coin, though its significance was unclear. When he couldn’t find it, he began destroying household items and threatening to kill his parents, wife, and child. Desperate, Supawadee decided to report the situation to the police.
While at the station, Supawadee received word that her son had set the family’s truck on fire. Distressed, she decided to press charges and urged police to arrest him, hoping he would receive treatment for his drug addiction. During a search of the house, officers found a loaded .38 caliber revolver hidden in a bag, along with another disassembled firearm and various rounds of ammunition, which were seized as evidence. Supawadee also reported that her son had been carrying a firearm when he fled and expressed concern that he might pose a danger to others.
Despite her anger and fear, Supawadee pleaded with authorities not to harm her son, blaming his behavior on his drug use and hoping he would get help through rehabilitation.
