Children aged 9–15 suspected in Bangkok arson attack on homeless man

An incident involving three children who allegedly set a man on fire under a bridge in Prawet, Bangkok, on Monday was caught on video. Photo: Facebook

BANGKOK, Jan 23, 2026 — Police in Thailand have identified three children aged between nine and 15 as suspects in an attack in which a homeless man was set on fire and filmed in Bangkok, authorities said on Friday.

The victim, identified by local media as 51-year-old Karn, suffered non-fatal injuries after the attack, which took place on Monday under the Ban Ma Bridge in the Prawet district, police said.

According to Karn, who survives by collecting and selling recyclable waste, he was asleep when a liquid was poured over him before he was set alight. Witnesses told local media the attack appeared to be random, and police said the victim did not know the suspects.

Police said the identities of the children were being withheld under child protection laws. The suspects are expected to face charges including attempted murder and damage to public property, after a water pipe at the scene was damaged by the fire.

A video of the attack circulated widely on social media, triggering public outrage and calls for tougher legal action, including demands that guardians be held accountable.

Thai media have reported several recent violent incidents involving arson, including a case last year in Lampang province in which teenagers burned a disabled dog to death, and a separate incident in Bangkok in which a Malaysian tourist couple was set on fire by an unemployed man. Authorities later said the government would cover the tourists’ medical costs and compensation.

South China Morning Post