Det Udom district hospital, in the north-eastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, is appealing for public donations after an arson attack last Friday.
The fire caused extensive damage to medical equipment and the third floor of the hospital building, estimated at around 100 million baht.
The hospital’s director, Dr. Prasert Srisarakham, said that damage to the whole third floor is estimated at about 20 million baht, while damage to medical equipment is estimated to be between 60 and 80 million baht.
He said that the fire also meant that the hospital had to evacuate all patients.
The middle-aged man, who allegedly set fire to the hospital, has been in police custody since last Friday and has, reportedly, confessed to the police that he intentionally set fire to the hospital and that he had planned the arson attack a few days in advance.
According to the police report, the suspect claimed that he drove a car, rented at Ubon Ratchathani airport, to the hospital on January 26th to scout the area. Last Friday, he returned to the hospital, carrying a gun and a plastic bag filled with gasoline. He then proceeded to the third floor, where he threw plastic bag and ignited the fuel.
Police say that the suspect does not apparently have any mental problems and communicates normally.
