NE massacre aftermath: Three victims go home as extent of injuries and trauma for thousands explained

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on comments by two of Thailand's leading health care officials after the shooting and stabbing massacre in Uthai Sawan, Nong Bualamphu last week that claimed 37 lives.

 

The descriptions of the injuries and the mental health care required as the area begins to come to terms with the appalling atrocity brings the tragedy into even sharper focus, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

Yesterday's press conference at the MoPH headquarters in Nonthaburi was given by health ministry official Dr Opas Karankawinpong and Dr Amporn Benjaphonphithak director-general of the department of mental health.

 

Dr Opas said that 3 of the ten people hospitalized with serious injuries after the incident have gone home.

 

Of the seven remaining under medical care five are in Nong Bualamphu Hospital.

 

These are:

 

1. A three year old boy who has had brain surgery to remove a clot. He is off a respirator now and breathing normally by himself. He is being closely monitored.

 

2. A four year old boy who has had two brain surgeries for blood clots. He's improving.

 

3. A 56 year old woman is also improving after brain surgery and now off a respirator.

 

4. A 42 year old woman with an abdominal injury and damage to her small intestine and a broken shin. She is recovering.

 

5. The 12 year old daughter of victim #4 who is with her mother to help with her mental health recovery.

 

There are two people in Udon Thani Hospital:

 

6. A three year old child who also had his skull opened to remove a brain clot. He is improving. 

 

7. A 21 year old man with spinal injuries who had a bullet removed. He is still on a respirator and undergoing physiotherapy and being monitored.

 

Dr Amporn said that 170 people were either injured, survived or are close relatives of victims. Of these 60 people are under the age of 18.

 

In the wider Uthai Sawan community there are 6,591 people closely affected by the incident including 129 children in two schools. 

 

They are going through three levels of mental health care comprising intensive work in the first two weeks followed by work to help with their mental scars and consequences in follow-up visits by mental health teams (MCATT) in the period up to 3 months from now.

 

Following the first 3 months this will entail follow-up programs for those in need of more mental health care. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-10-11

 

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[jaiyen]

Thai authorities love giving out precise numbers. How do they know that 6591 people were closely affected by this terrible incident ? Did they interview the whole area ? Something like this will affect a far greater number than what they say and it will last for many years. Many people will be growing up without family members and friends.

[Mac Mickmanus]

28 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

Thai authorities love giving out precise numbers. How do they know that 6591 people were closely affected by this terrible incident ? Did they interview the whole area ? Something like this will affect a far greater number than what they say and it will last for many years. Many people will be growing up without family members and friends.

That is probably the amount of people who live in the village or local area 

[BadSpottedDog]

What a tragedy. In following the story, we know the shooter had a shot gun, hand gun, and a knife. So how did 3 of the kids & an adult get blood clots in the brain? I'm confused.

[Cake Monster]

Does the World really need to be treated to a list of the injuries Etc, as if it were some kind of Circus.

The Madman had a Shogun, a Pistol, and I believe a Meat Cleaver

Injuries inflicted with such weapons needs very little or no description.

Have these poor people not already been through the wringer.

They dont need this now, or ever, they need all the help that can be supplied by the very best professionals

[Mac Mickmanus]

26 minutes ago, BadSpottedDog said:

What a tragedy. In following the story, we know the shooter had a shot gun, hand gun, and a knife. So how did 3 of the kids & an adult get blood clots in the brain? I'm confused.

Maye be used his hands or fists to hit them ?

[spidermike007]

One has to hope that Thailand is up for the task, in regard to the mental health part of this event. Does not seem as though there is much focus on mental health here, and I am unfamiliar with the level of treatment and psychological therapy available here. Does anyone know? Seems as if introspection, self reflection, sharing one's feelings, looking within, and contemplation are just not part of the culture for most Thais. 

[BadSpottedDog]

22 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Maybe be used his hands or fists to hit them ?

???? ????  ???? 

[Dont confuse me]

Hopefully they including the surviving members of the cops family in the after care!

 

[TKDfella]

As I mentioned on the original thread, I lived in Na Klang for 3 years I lived in a rented place that was just off the main 210 road. Uthai Sawan about 6 km S.W. I found the people very dependant on Temple Monks for advice and many other things so I would think if there is any mental support sought then this would likely be the route local families take. Na klang hospital at that time wasn't large enough (single level) to house many departments and in fact those in need would be transferred to Nong Bua Lam Phu General.

[kidneyw]

2 hours ago, BadSpottedDog said:

What a tragedy. In following the story, we know the shooter had a shot gun, hand gun, and a knife. So how did 3 of the kids & an adult get blood clots in the brain? I'm confused.

Think these are the ones he ran off the road on the way back to his house.

[ChrisKC]

I am basically in agreement with this report - being published!

 

All the dead are gone but hospitalised patients and all other traumatised survivors (parents etc) have to live on with lasting emotional problems that we are reassured are being cared for by professionals.

 

Very often on this forum we see reports of many serious incidents of all kinds but after the initial headline, we wonder what happened later and how certain circumstances played out.

[BostonRob2]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

One has to hope that Thailand is up for the task, in regard to the mental health part of this event. Does not seem as though there is much focus on mental health here, and I am unfamiliar with the level of treatment and psychological therapy available here. Does anyone know? Seems as if introspection, self reflection, sharing one's feelings, looking within, and contemplation are just not part of the culture for most Thais. 

I went to Si Thanya psychiatric hospital in Bangkok many times with my son who is a schizophrenic. We all received excellent advice and guidance about the condition and its treatment. The skills that you mention are what mental health care professionals are able to help people with. Yes, more needs to be done about mental health everywhere but Thailand has the help if people are prepared to accept there is a problem and seek guidance.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rooster

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, BostonRob2 said:

I went to Si Thanya psychiatric hospital in Bangkok many times with my son who is a schizophrenic. We all received excellent advice and guidance about the condition and its treatment. The skills that you mention are what mental health care professionals are able to help people with. Yes, more needs to be done about mental health everywhere but Thailand has the help if people are prepared to accept there is a problem and seek guidance.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rooster

Outstanding. That is really good news. Perhaps people need more encouragement to seek help? 

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, jaiyen said:

Thai authorities love giving out precise numbers. How do they know that 6591 people were closely affected by this terrible incident ? Did they interview the whole area ? Something like this will affect a far greater number than what they say and it will last for many years. Many people will be growing up without family members and friends.

They like to make it look like they are doing something...

always reactive though.

[Cake Monster]

13 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

I am basically in agreement with this report - being published!

 

All the dead are gone but hospitalised patients and all other traumatised survivors (parents etc) have to live on with lasting emotional problems that we are reassured are being cared for by professionals.

 

Very often on this forum we see reports of many serious incidents of all kinds but after the initial headline, we wonder what happened later and how certain circumstances played out.

I am also in full support of the report being published.

To inform people and to some extent reassure them that the survivors are being well cared for is a commendable thing to do.

However ! To list the injuries person by person is in bad taste and crass to say the least.

A report simply saying that the injured were being well cared for at such and such Hospital would have been sufficient, and that professional Mental Health Personnel were on scene to assist and care for the Traumatized people of the Community

Now is not the time for sensationalism, it is time for a level headed and professional approach in dealing with the aftermath of this horrendous Incident.

[peter zwart]

My breakfast comes up again reading these facts. What a drama for all these innocent and helpless people. I hate chemical drugs, the people who produce/sell them and the empty heads who use them.
 

[BostonRob2]

16 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Outstanding. That is really good news. Perhaps people need more encouragement to seek help? 

That's for sure. I'm touching on this issue in my column on Saturday. Please read it.

 

Regards,

 

Rooster

[nahkit]

19 hours ago, BostonRob2 said:

Yes, more needs to be done about mental health everywhere but Thailand has the help if people are prepared to accept there is a problem and seek guidance.

I didn't find that to be my experience when we sought help for a troubled family member, they just handed out pills. The family member involved said he felt as though the doctor couldn't care less and that he was just taking up his time being there. On our third visit to the hospital, a lady sat down in the waiting area after seeing the same doctor and announced out loud how uncaring and dis-interested the doctor's manner was. Next thing, others around us began voicing the same opinions out loud.