Myanmar man self-immolates after losing job

By The Nation

 

 

Police said a man from Myanmar committed suicide by setting himself on fire in Suphanburi province today (April 14) after losing his job.

 

Officers from Don Chedi Police Station found the charred body near a pond, about 60 metres from Nong Son village where the unnamed victim lived.

 

The man had suffered severe burns to the head, torso and limbs. Police found a gallon-container of fuel and a lighter about 30 metres from the body.

 

The wife of the victim said that he had worked in a gristmill and lived in Thailand for the past 20 years. But when he turned 60, the mill had stopped hiring him.

 

He then became stressed and depressed. After seeing that her husband was missing from their bed this morning, the wife went out to search for him and found his body shortly after.

 

The charity Samaritans is available around the clock for people who want to talk.

If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health services, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-713-6791 (English), 02713-6793 (Thai) or Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai)

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30385985

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-04-14

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Inevitable consequences when the cure is worse than the disease. Expect to see plenty more stories like this the longer the lockdown continues. 

5 minutes ago, Conno said:

Inevitable consequences when the cure is worse than the disease. Expect to see plenty more stories like this the longer the lockdown continues. 

Did you read the article?

10 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

Did you read the article?

The article is a lie.

Rookiescot - Of course I did. These reports are rarely accurate and also scant on details. However even if the gristmill fired him purely due to his age alone, does the same gristmill even remain open? Secondly given the lockdown and countless others are without work, in normal times he may have had a chance of finding alternative employment. Fat chance of that under the current situation. There are always secondary consequences to everything when hysteria and fear rules the day.

Edited April 14, 20206 yr by Conno

And no one yet to say RIP to the poor man and condolences to his family ?

Yea sure thing RIP, as he sadly didn't have much of that in the last moments of his life. 

As a side note I am already getting desperate calls from Thais I know who worked in Walking Street requesting help with food and rent. Everyone is so focused on the headline story that they are missing the slow moving train wreck that is unfolding behind the scenes. Hope it's all worth it but I very much doubt that.

Edited April 14, 20206 yr by Conno

RIP, but he was 60. Surely he should have been thinking about retirement? Even if he hadn't been fired, he would have been made redundant rather soon. Besides, most employees retire at the age of 60, leaving entrepreneurs and self-employed people above 60 about the only ones still working. Company employees above the age of 60 are a rarity in Thailand.

4 minutes ago, drbeach said:

RIP, but he was 60. Surely he should have been thinking about retirement? Even if he hadn't been fired, he would have been made redundant rather soon. Besides, most employees retire at the age of 60, leaving entrepreneurs and self-employed people above 60 about the only ones still working. Company employees above the age of 60 are a rarity in Thailand.

There was no retirement for this guy or millions like him.  He was probably day labour and kept on because he was a good worker.  The only people that get a good pension in retirement worked for the government or a big company.

2 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

There was no retirement for this guy or millions like him.  He was probably day labour and kept on because he was a good worker.  The only people that get a good pension in retirement worked for the government or a big company.

Thai companies don't normally hire old people above 60. So he would have had to retire and go back home.

Grumpy John - Exactly and I wonder just how many millions more in Thailand are/were living under similar circumstances? I know a Thai guy who is 74 fit as a fiddle with biceps he's very proud of and still working. If you frequent Marine Nightclub on Walking Street you may know him too. 

Edited April 14, 20206 yr by Conno

A post in poor and distasteful nature has been removed.

A man has died in tragic circumstances, and some basic decency should be a given.

These are difficult times for millions, a fact which should also instill some empathy.

Attempts at humour are not going to be appreciated thanks.

 

His story is common enough.

 

Thailand has highest suicide rate in ASEAN.

 

He's not a figurehead for the present troubles.

 

He is one for the ongoing inequality, injustice and hopelessness that plagues millions of ordinary Thais, and hundreds and thousands of the Helot class of immigrant workers.

 

Year in, year out.

 

We know who's to blame.

 

 

 

Edited April 14, 20206 yr by Enoon

When I read earlier of the man who burned all his fish baskets because he had not received his 5000 baht government handout, thought came to mind of how desperate folks in the SE Asian area of the world have been known to burn themselves to protest current events in their lives.

 

Let us pray this fellow's example does not become common in these uncommon times...RIP

The FIL was retired at 55 by CP. Old and in way.

He is only a couple of years younger than myself but runs rings around me.

 

Hope this case is not the new normal. RIP fella