Udon Thani:A 23-year-old man, identified as Thanakorn or "Top," set his house on fire in a desperate attempt to be jailed and escape starvation. The incident took place on the Ban Chiang-Ban Nong Lat road in the Ban Chiang Subdistrict of Nong Han District, Udon Thani Province.
According to Thai News Agency, Top was upset that his grandmother would not give him food. He admitted to setting the fire because he felt worthless and did not want to steal from others. After his grandfather's recent death, Top felt abandoned, with his mother having remarried and his grandmother refusing him food. This led him to believe that being in jail would at least provide him with meals.
The Ban Chiang Subdistrict Municipality's disaster relief unit quickly responded to the fire and extinguished it in less than 30 minutes, preventing it from spreading throughout the house. An initial inspection found two burnt tires in the living room. Top, who watched the fire from the roadside, was later taken into custody by police from Nong Han Police Station. He admitted to using drugs on the day of the incident and was taken to the station for further action.
Additionally, on the same day, Top's uncle, Mr. Daew or "Ah Chue," caused a separate disturbance by destroying his mother's noodle shop with a machete after she refused to give him money. Top's actions occurred shortly after his uncle's outburst. The house that Top set on fire belonged to his deceased grandfather, Mr. Prawit, leaving Top without anyone to care for it. The homeowner has been advised to file charges for arson.