A drunk German man set his own house on fire when his wife failed to return home for several days in Thailand.

The European, 60, lit up his bungalow but suffered burns and blisters on his arms during his rampage in Phayao province on August 15

Police Lieutenant Colonel Sorawit Kiddee of the Chun District Police Station said officers responded to the incident upon receiving a report at 11 am.

They found the shirtless German injured outside the house as fire tore through the garage and engulfed a Mitsubishi pick-up truck inside. Several electric appliances were also burnt and gas explosions were heard as the blaze spread into the home's interior.

Electricians cut off the power supply as firefighters extinguished the fire, which was put out after around one hour. The wounded German was taken to the Chun Hospital and is now in a stable condition.

A relative told local media that the man had been stressed because his wife had still not come home from her work. He is believed to have been drunk when he started the fire.

Police have cordoned off the area to gather evidence. Local officials said they will also 'offer assistance' to the injured German.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Sorawit Kiddee said: 'The house is owned by the German man's wife but we have not received a complaint from her. We are waiting for this before taking any action against the man.

'The issue comes from a personal problem between the man and his wife.'