The Malaysian embassy’s charge d’affaires ad interim to Thailand, Bong Yik Jui, assured their families that the embassy will continue to monitor their condition.

Bong said Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, sustained second-degree burns over 36% of her body, including her face, chest and arm, while her boyfriend, Ong Yik Leong, 26, suffered second-degree burns to his upper body, both front and back.

Gan and Ong were attacked by the now-unemployed man who allegedly doused them with thinner before setting them alight while they were sitting outside a shopping mall on Ratchadamri Road at about 10pm.

At a meeting today with family members, the assistant permanent secretary of the tourism and sports ministry, Seksun Ngawsuwan, said the Thai government would allocate a specific sum to assist with their medical expenses.

“We will assist the family members as much as possible to ensure that the recovery process proceeds smoothly,” he said.

He said Gan and Ong were expected to require about a month of treatment in Thailand to ensure their wounds heal properly.

Asked when they could be transferred back to Malaysia, Seksun said it would depend on the doctors’ observations and recommendations.