Man Driven by Voices in Head Sets Fire to Ex-Governor's and Doctor's Houses, Police Arrest Suspect

On February 21, Police Colonel Pongpop Prasoppit of Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station received reports of arson attacks on two houses in Moo 7,Ban Ko Subdistrict. The first target was the home of Withit Pinnigorn, a former provincial deputy, where a white car arrived and a man threw a fire bottle near the house's boundary wall. The suspect's wife, Sasithorn Pinnigorn, 50, discovered the fire around 7:00 AM while preparing to take her son to school. She quickly extinguished the flames with water and contacted local fire services. The perpetrator then drove to a second location and threw another fire bottle at the home of Dr. Naphatsadon Playchum, 46. After the incidents, police identified and arrested the suspect, Niwat, 49, who admitted to the crime. He claimed voices in his head had been instructing him to commit arson for over 13 years and acknowledged having a history of drug use. Police charged Niwat with arson and are preparing to conduct a comprehensive psychological evaluation.