Trapped inside, accused burglar sets fire to bookstore

A woman who allegedly burglarised a Bangkok textbook store was arrested for setting the building on fire after she found she couldn’t get out.

Supattraporn Wongsuwan, 36, was rescued from the burning building in the Ekamai area around 9pm. She was taken to Thong Lor police station after being treated for smoke inhalation, Thai media reported.

Eight fire trucks responded to the two-story commercial building housing textbook dealer Suksapan's Ekamai outlet. Firefighters took about 10 minutes to control the blaze, which started on the second floor. Damage is still being calculated.

Police said Supattraporn confessed she had set fire to the building after being locked in while trying to steal cash from a donation box and other valuables. She had hid in the store since 4pm, waiting for it to close, said Pol Maj Gen Somprasong Yentuam, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said at a news conference.

She told police she used a cigarette lighter to set alight a computer mousepad in hopes someone might come to her rescue, but the flames spread faster than she expected.

Criminal records show Supattraporn had been released from prison seven months ago after serving time for a string of donation-box robberies, police said. Her most recent arrest came Nov 23, when she allegedly broke into the Suksapan Lat Phrao branch.

Police said she claimed to need money to feed her children.

She was charged with theft and arson.