A fire broke out at a row of shophouses in the Khao Sai Market area, Thap Khlo District, Phichit Province, destroying 10 units with estimated damages of about 50 million baht. Police detained a suspect, the son of the owner of the house where the fire started, after a dispute with his mother over money and threats to burn the house.
At 10:30 a.m. on 4 January 2026, Police Lieutenant Chutidet Na Pikul, deputy investigator at Thap Khlo Police Station, Phichit, was informed of a fire at a two-story shophouse in Village 10, Khao Sai Subdistrict, Thap Khlo District. He inspected the scene with Police Colonel Pheemporn Muangsri, chief of Thap Khlo Police Station, and Mr. Phuwanat Suwanphrom, the district chief of Thap Khlo.
They coordinated with about 20 fire trucks from Khao Sai Municipality and nearby areas to extinguish the intense blaze, which spread rapidly due to the closely built wooden houses. The fire burned for approximately two hours before authorities managed to control it.
Initial damage assessment found that the fire destroyed 10 units, causing about 50 million baht in losses. The fire originated at house number 158, Village 10, Khao Sai, which was a liquefied petroleum gas sales shop owned by Mrs. Wanna, 62.
Before the fire, Mrs. Wanna had an argument with her son, Mr. Yutthana, or 'Kung,' 36, who reportedly has a history involving drugs. He asked his mother for money, which she refused, and threatened to burn the house. Subsequently, the fire broke out and spread to several other houses. Local residents alerted police patrols, who detained Mr. Yutthana for questioning at Thap Khlo Police Station as a suspect. Police forensic teams are expected to investigate the scene further to determine the exact cause.