Two Patients with Mental Health Issues Drown in Separate Incidents in Ubon Ratchathani

[Georgealbert]

 

 

In a tragic coincidence, two individuals with mental health conditions were found dead from drowning in separate incidents in different subdistricts of Ubon Ratchathani, within minutes of each other, according to local authorities.

 

At 09:20 on October 20, Lieutenant Phongrit Rukthai, deputy investigator of Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station, received a report of a body found floating face-down in Huai Bo Kaew, Village 1, Hua Ruea Subdistrict. Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene.

 

Upon arrival, they discovered the body of Mr. Polchai (surname withheld). There were no signs of struggle or external injuries. Authorities estimate that he had been dead for 1-2 days.

 

 

Mr. Khomsak 44, who found the body, stated that he had left his house around 08:20 to take his daughter to buy snacks. He then went to check the water level at the location where the body was found, as he had intended to set up a fish net after the irrigation department had released water into the stream. When he spotted the body floating, he initially thought it was a mannequin. Upon closer inspection, he noticed hair and a foul smell, confirming it was a corpse. He immediately notified the village headman and police.

 

Mr. Thanakrit 44, a relative of the deceased, stated that Mr. Polchai worked as a day labourer and suffered from some mental illness issues and epilepsy, requiring multiple medications from the hospital. He had been last seen at home the previous day, October 19, around noon, and was also spotted by a scrap collector near the location where the body was found. Concern grew when Mr. Polchai failed to return home for dinner and his medication, as he was usually diligent about taking his prescriptions.

 

Just five minutes later, at 09:25 authorities received another report of a missing woman near the Mun Noi River in Tha Bo Village, Chaeramae Subdistrict. A rescue team deployed divers to search the area, and after about 30 minutes, they recovered the body of Ms. Kanchana (surname withheld), 46, approximately 20 metres from the riverbank.There were no visible signs of injury.

 

Mr. Kamol (surname withheld), 43, her husband, recounted that his wife had been drinking alcohol with friends before returning home to bathe. He was feeding their daughter when he scolded his wife for drinking. In response, she sighed, went inside, hugged a photograph of her deceased mother, and walked into the river behind their house. Mr. Kamol saw her in the water and rushed to get a boat to rescue her, but she disappeared beneath the surface before he could reach her. Despite his best efforts, the water was too deep to save her.

 

Authorities believe the drowning may have been triggered by feelings of distress from the scolding. Ms. Kanchana had been receiving hospital treatment for depression and had consumed alcohol, which may have worsened her mental state. The bodies of both victims have been sent to the forensics department for further examination to determine the exact causes of death.

 

Picture from responders.

 

-- 2024-10-21