BANGKOK -- A schoolgirl boarding-house in northern Thailand's Chiang Rai was burnt down late Sunday night, killing 17 girls, injuring five others while two girls were missing, a local newspaper quoted police as reporting on Monday.

According to the Nation newspaper, the fire broke out at the boarding-house of Pithakkiart Witthaya School in Wiengpapao district at 11 pm Sunday.

The girls who died in the fire were between five to 12 years old.

There were 38 schoolgirls staying at the boarding-house. They came from hilltribe villages in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai to study in the town.