Mentally ill man sets fire to his own house

Mentally ill man sets fire to his own house

Flames consume the house of Pichitchai Phuphakorn in Muang district in Nakhon Phanom on Sunday. (Photo and video clip by Pattanapong Sripiachai)
Flames consume the house of Pichitchai Phuphakorn in Muang district in Nakhon Phanom on Sunday. (Photo and video clip by Pattanapong Sripiachai)

NAKHON PHANOM: A mentally-deranged man was arrested after he set fire to his own house in Muang district on Saturday, police said.

Police identified the alleged arsonist as Pichitchai, 23, son of Sub Lt Pongsiri Phuphakorn, 62, a retired military officer.

The fire broke out about 6pm at a house located outside a military camp at Phra Yod Muang Khwang village in tambon Kurikhu. The blaze was brought under control after about an hour by firefighters from several local disaster relief units, including the tambon administration organisation, but the house and its contents were completely destroyed.

Mr Pichitchai was still at the house when the police and firefighters arrived. He reportedly said he had set the house on fire because he felt lonely and needed friends. He said he wanted to be in jail in the hope of finding people to talk to.

A police investigation revealed he had a record of mental illness, apparently as a result of heavy use of alcohol and drugs.

Mr Phichitchai lived in the house with an elder brother and several relatives. He was alone in the house when the fire broke out.

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