'Story burned woman is not correct'
The story of the woman who set herself on fire at the government complaints center this week is shattering, claims the lender's niece, to whom she was indebted - for 1,5 million baht, according to the woman.
The cousin denies that her aunt threatened the woman, as she claims. The man who allegedly threatened her was a bedridden leukemia patient. "He really wouldn't be able to make threats," the cousin writes on Facebook.
The defense continues for a while: about land ownership, collateral, a loan from the Government Savings Bank, the exact amount the woman owes and more details. All perfect ingredients for an exciting soap, but because I don't like soaps, I'll leave it unmentioned.
The niece insists not to judge her family solely on what the media write, because that is a one-sided story. "Sometimes borrowers get into trouble because of their own lack of responsibility." The niece hopes that the woman will recover quickly from her burns and decides to 'tell the truth'.
The desperate woman is now in hospital with burns over half her body. She has a high fever, but her condition is stable. The lender has agreed to cancel the debt. Minister Panadda Diskul (PM's Office) has promised to discuss medical costs with government departments.
The arson has prompted a parliamentary committee to expand the pending bill on debt and collection practices. That proposal was approved at first reading at the end of August. It will apply not only to formal but also to informal loan agreements.
(Source: bangkok mail, October 18, 2014)
See further: Desperate woman sets herself on fire