Thai man burns down his own home after ‘ghost’ hallucination

2026-02-15 - 09:36

CHAIYAPHUM — 15 February 2026, A 58-year-old man set fire to his own home in northeastern Thailand after hallucinating that spirits were inside, destroying the property, officials said. The blaze broke out at about 01:30 at a house in Ban Don Changae village, Moo 11, Ban Phet subdistrict, Bamnet Narong district, in Chaiyaphum province. Investigators at Bamnet Narong Police Station were alerted to the fire in the middle of the village and coordinated with Ban Phet Subdistrict Administrative Organisation firefighters, nearby agencies and local rescue workers to contain the blaze. Firefighters took around 45 minutes to bring the flames under control and prevent them from spreading to neighbouring homes. The two-storey wooden house, built with an open ground floor, was completely destroyed. No injuries were reported. Authorities identified the suspect as Uthai Chamthuam, 58, the homeowner, who allegedly set the fire before fleeing the scene. Initial damage was estimated at about 100,000 baht (approximately £2,200). On the morning of 15 February, Bamnet Narong district chief Acting Sub Lt. Tharathip Phonphinyo assigned security officials to work with police to inspect the site and track down the suspect. Uthai was later detained at a friend’s house in Moo 16, also in Ban Phet subdistrict. Police said relatives told investigators that Uthai has a history of psychiatric illness and was undergoing treatment. He had been discharged from Bamnet Narong Hospital five days before the incident. He reportedly experienced hallucinations and believed spirits were inside his home, prompting him to set the fire in an attempt to drive them away. Officers have returned him to Bamnet Narong Hospital for further treatment. Neighbours said Uthai lived alone, while relatives stayed at another house nearby. On the night of the fire, no one knew where he had gone after setting the blaze.