Spray suspect admits to 30 attacks: police
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The man suspected of being a serial chemical attacker has admitted sprinkling bathroom cleaner on victims on 30 occasions in Bangkok over the past two months, acting city police chief Pol Maj-General Kamronwit Thoopkrachang told a press conference yesterd
Kamronwit affirmed only a single attacker was involved in all the cases.
Yanhee International Hospital has offered to treat free-of-charge all the chemically-burned victims until their condition has returned to normal.
Tricycle-riding scavenger Rachan Theerakitnukul, 50, incoherently said he was high on drugs during the attacks and wanted to take revenge on those who scolded him for parking his tricycle in others’ way and for extorting foreigners.
Five victims were present at the conference and identified Rachan as their attacker. Rachan also apologised to them.
Kamronwit said Rachan confessed to the 30 attacks at locations including Lumphini, Pratunam (eight times), Saphan Kwai (10 times), Sutthisan, Paholyothin, Victory Monument (four times), Lat Phrao (five times) and Bang Sue.
Rachan’s known victims said they recognised his tricycle, which has two large headlights.
Kamronwit said Rachan was arrested in Bang Sue for taking yaba in 2004 but had no history of previous mental problems. Police said he told them he made the attacks because he was angry for being scolded and looked down upon so, being high on drugs, he took it out on others.
Police investigations so far have found six victims including one British woman, four Thai women and one Thai man.
Police have charged Rachan with assault, causing harm to physical and mental health.
Rachan was arrested on Sunday at Soi Inthamara 59 while the search of his rented room also yielded drug-taking tools.
Rachan reportedly told police that, when he sorted through garbage and found toilet cleaner bottles, he would put the leftover liquid in a small bottle to spray at others, including four foreigners, to vent his anger.
