The father of a Malaysian tourist set ablaze in Bangkok last week said he is concerned about his daughter’s mounting medical expenses.
Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, and her boyfriend Ong Yik Leong, 26, were attacked by an unemployed man who doused them with paint thinner before setting them alight near a shopping mall on Ratchadamri Road at about 10pm on Aug 7.
Xiao Zhen’s father, Gan Kin In, said his daughter’s medical bill had reached 150,000 baht (about RM19,500) after just over a week of treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bernama reported.
Gan, 60, a retiree, said the Thai government had agreed to provide total compensation of up to 550,000 (about RM71,400) baht per person. “We are worried that the total amount of compensation may not be enough to cover the total medical costs as the charges are quite high,” he said.
Gan said the doctors were not optimistic about allowing his daughter and her boyfriend to be transferred back to Malaysia. Yik Leong is also reported to be in a stable condition and is being cared for by his aunt, Ong Siew Kien.
“Xiao Zhen had a fever and high blood pressure yesterday, but she has recovered today. Her condition is now more stable, and if her health permits, doctors will carry out minor skin operations in phases,” he said.
He said doctors estimated it would take around two months for Xiao Zhen to recover after the skin graft procedures, which would need to be done in stages to minimise pain and discomfort.
Gan and his wife Kek Ley Lan, who have been in Bangkok for the past week, expressed gratitude to the Malaysian and Thai governments and other agencies for their assistance.
