Teens ‘set homeless man on fire while he slept under a bridge as a prank’

A group of three teenage boys doused a homeless man in Bangkok with fuel and set him alight before fleeing the scene.

The boys reportedly doused Karn, 51, as he was sleeping under a bridge in Thailand on January 19.

They then ignited the liquid, triggering a blaze that engulfed the area, injuring Karn and a nearby water pipe and bridge.

CCTV footage showed one boy recording the cruel ‘prank’ on his mobile phone before all three fled the scene on a black-and-red motorcycle.

Police arrived at the scene, where they found Karn seriously injured but alive.

The homeless man, Karn, said he woke up when he felt a cold liquid being splashed on him, allowing him to escape with his life.

He claimed the boys had been harassing him for months by verbally abusing him and throwing rocks and water bottles unprovoked.

Residents said Karn had never caused any trouble in the area and often shared his food with other homeless people.

Officers launched an investigation and said they had identified the suspects on January 22, but their identities have not been disclosed as they were minors.

Police Colonel Tosaphol Ampaiphiphatkul, superintendent of Prawet district station, said: ‘The group of suspects were aged between nine and 15. They rode the motorcycle together to escape.

‘After committing the offence, they fled to the Krungthep Kritha 18 road. Investigators identified them and informed their families.

‘We have to handle this case urgently because, if it is left unchecked, it could become a repeat of the incident in Sa Kaeo, where teenagers attacked a homeless man in Aranyaprathet district, causing severe injuries.

‘Regarding the charges against the three youths, they were only charged with ‘arson’ not ‘attempted murder.’

Police said the suspects may also face a property damage case for damaging water pipes, the bridge, and street lamps, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.

The penalty for arson is up to seven months’ imprisonment and a fine of up to £3,294.

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