Fiery Family Dispute in Pattaya: Prathum Ruangphol’s Dramatic Escape

In a tale straight out of a gripping drama, a family dispute took a fiery turn on the serene streets of Pattaya. The tropical tranquility of Bang Lamung was shattered yesterday, June 10, when flames started licking the walls of a modest home, sending 77-year-old Prathum Ruangphol and her foreign husband scrambling for safety.

Prompted by a call from the frazzled couple, the Takhian Tia Municipality’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre rushed their emergency teams to the scene. When they arrived at the two-storey home in Village No. 3, they found a small ground-floor bedroom – adjacent to the main living area – enshrouded in a thick haze. Within ten minutes, the quick-thinking firefighters managed to quell the blaze, preventing even more catastrophic damage. However, the bedroom was left in ruins, reduced to a smoldering shell of plaster and ash.

This wasn’t just any room, mind you. It belonged to the son-in-law, a man reportedly embroiled in a bitter tiff that had reached a boiling point. Earlier, a heated exchange occurred when he visited the home to collect some documents. According to Prathum, his request was denied, sparking anger and leading to his hasty and irritable exit. Not long after, smoke began billowing ominously, followed by the terrifying dance of flames.

Prathum recounted, “My son-in-law came to the house wanting to collect some documents. I refused to let him in and he got angry. Not long after he left, we saw smoke, then the flames.” Disturbingly, as they battled the blaze, neighbors noted the son-in-law’s conspicuous absence. He didn’t lift a finger to help, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

The plot thickens with the admission from Prathum’s daughter, the homeowner, who was away on business during the incident. She revealed that separation was on the cards for her and the son-in-law, who’d been living under a cloud of restricted access and had, in the past, expressed himself with “serious threats.” While both Prathum and her husband made it out safely, the foreign husband suffered minor injuries amidst the chaos.

As embers cool and lay bare the wreckage, authorities are on a steadfast quest for clarity. Bang Lamung police have urged the family to file a formal complaint, marking the beginning of a full-scale investigation. Officers are set to question the son-in-law, a key figure in this dramatic saga. A police spokesperson asserted their commitment: “We are treating the matter seriously and intend to ensure fairness for all parties involved.”

For Prathum and her family, the days ahead will be a search for both answers and healing. As the community watches on, the only certainty is that this chapter of their lives has sparked change. In the ashes of confrontation, the Ruangphol saga unfolds, adding yet another layer to the vibrant, pulse-quickening tales that give Pattaya its unique, interconnected fabric.

The path to resolution may be fiery and fraught with emotion, but one can’t help but watch in anticipation as the story continues to play out. With each revelation, each twist, and turn, Pattaya’s intrigue thrives—a true testament to life’s unpredictable narrative.