A Thai woman set herself on fire inside a Bangkok government building Wednesday after she was unable to pay off loans of $46,000, officials said, as household debt in Thailand rises to a record high. Sangvean Raksapet, 52, from central Lop Buri province, was rushed to hospital with severe burns after she set herself alight in a state-run complaints centre opposite Government House, leaving shocked officials to put out the flames.
"Officials managed to put out the fire... She was under stress due to her huge personal debt," Bangkok police lieutenant Kingpetch Setiya said. Prawit Wongsuwon, deputy prime minister and defence minister, confirmed the incident, saying Sangvean had visited the centre several times seeking help to settle her debts.