A Sobering Take on the Impact of Covid in Thailand

[Pottinger]

Suicides rise in Thailand as Covid decimates its tourism industry

Health officials compare the country’s current economic situation to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when suicide increased by over 20pc

By Jack Taylor and Navaon Siradapuvadol 14 May 2021 • 12:00pm

 

The last time 23-year-old Buddhist monk Phongphichet Pittayaseehanat spoke to his  parents was over the phone on May 4. 

They told him where to find their belongings. A  mobile phone, a power bank, and 200 baht (almost £5.00), all  in a drawer in  their home.  

Their conversation worried Mr Pittayaseehanat, so he asked a friend nearby to check in on his parents and take them some food. The couple, hardworking fruit sellers in their early 60s, were found together in their bathroom with two handwritten notes. Amid mounting debt, they had taken their own lives. 

Thailand has the highest rate of suicide among Southeast Asian nations. It is estimated that one person tries to kill themselves every 10 minutes. According to a 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) report, there are 14.4 suicides per 100,000 people in Thailand, whereas neighbouring Cambodia records 5.3 and the Philippines 3.2 per 100,000. 

The rate of suicide had already been increasing year-on-year in Thailand pre-pandemic, but during Covid-19, the figure leapt by 11 per cent from 2019 to the end of 2020, from 4,581 to 5,085 deaths, according to statistics from the Ministry for Health. 

 

Full article is here, but it's behind a paywall.

[Taco]

And then the advertisement under this article is a knife that cuts anything like butter. Interesting placement 

[jacko45k]

A sobering and sad article. 

[fusion58]

Quote

Economic insecurity is particularly toxic...

 

Especially in a culture where money is the only basis for respect and social status is paramount. Sad and sobering stats indeed.

[Boomer6969]

Land of underachievers.

[Caldera]

That's shocking. I didn't realize that Thailand's suicide rate is that much higher than in other countries nearby.

[Lacessit]

Family bonds are strong in Thailand, because pensions for many Thais are a pittance compared to what a Westerner gets.

When older people have miniscule income, and younger working people have none at all due to the impact of COVID, it's no surprise suicide rates would be soaring.

The R word springs to mind.

[Harveyboy]

a very sad article.. suicide id normally the last resort from pressure's in life (debt) a classic for some people its just s case of running up the credit .new pick up new house  shopping well beyond their means..ive seen it here including amongst my family spend like there is no tomorrow but haven't got a pot to P.ss in there is no fixing stupid as for the genuine people who have lost all especially to this terrible Virus hope you all get thru it ok   

[kingstonkid]

3 hours ago, Boomer6969 said:

Land of underachievers.

 

I disagree with your comment.  I find that the problem is that they want to achieve but do not have the tools to do it.  

 

Thailand is like a lot of South Asian countries it is consumed in the Western world ideals.  

Everything is about having what your friends have.  It is about owning an Iphone when a normal phone will work just as well.

 

The difference between here and let's say UK USA Canada is that there is a welfare system to help you and that there are limits on what you can borrow due to a real credit rating system.  

 

Example try buying an Iphone on credit if your rating is bottomed out in Canada.  Here neither the banks the government or the people worry about it.

 

It is a shame really but this is an advance notice of what things re going to be like for a lot of countries if they do not wake up.

[Colabamumbai]

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

That's shocking. I didn't realize that Thailand's suicide rate is that much higher than in other countries nearby.

It's even more than foreigners here..5 5 

[Meat Pie 47]

3 hours ago, Boomer6969 said:

Land of underachievers.

That's why you live there

[soalbundy]

Yes that is very sad. In my area in rural Isan everything seems to be hunky dory, new buildings, new shops, road works etc. Our village temple has started a new building project as has the council on a sports ground. In fact there is a general air of well being, possibly because we have no covid cases, in the village people have stopped wearing masks except for the kids when they go to school which starts again on Monday thank god.

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

That's why you live there

IMO it's better to be treated as an overachiever in Thailand, than to be in one's home country where one is treated as a profit number. Check out the Royal Commission into Aged Care, I'd love to see our politicians forced to live in one of those dumping grounds after they retire.

[Skeptic7]

This place makes me think hari-kari pretty much daily. 

[lavender19]

Not really the land of smiles anymore

 

[daveAustin]

Very sad, and only going to get worse I'm afraid. 

[daveAustin]

19 hours ago, Boomer6969 said:

Land of underachievers.

Bit under the belt. Has its faults but a pretty unique place in the grand scheme of things and is why you washed up there, right? Perhaps you're a decent bloke (some boomers have a heart and can even be selfless) but wind your neck in a bit bruv.