Picture from responders.

 

A 32-year-old fish vendor, overwhelmed by the pressure of mounting daily loan repayments, tragically ended his life at a resort in Mueang Maha Sarakham district on January 19.

 

Emergency services were alerted by the resort staff after the man was found unconscious in the bathroom. Upon arrival, rescue workers discovered that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the left temple. Police and forensic experts were called to the scene, where evidence confirmed the use of a homemade.38-calibre firearm.

 

The deceased, identified as Mr. Jakkrit, had been a regular fish vendor at Waeng Nang market in Maha Sarakham. His silver Toyota pickup truck, loaded with water tanks and fish-selling equipment, was parked outside the room. Inside the room, officials found his personal belongings, including a shoulder bag and identification card, neatly placed on the bed. No signs of struggle were observed.

 

Ms. Nongnuch Outrach, a local medic, described the moment she arrived at the scene. "The man was seated in the bathroom with a gun on his lap. At first, we couldn't tell whether the liquid on the floor was water or blood because the room was dark. Once we saw the firearm, we immediately exited and called the police."

 

Family members and fellow market vendors gathered at the resort upon hearing the news, expressing grief and disbelief.

 

Mr. Thawat Phimmaha, the 74-year-old grandfather of the deceased, said, "Jakkrit always took me with him when buying or selling fish. Yesterday was unusual because he didn't take me along and didn't return home. He had debts amounting to 50,000-60,000 baht from multiple lenders, and the pressure of daily repayments was overwhelming. This morning, I tried calling him but couldn't reach him, only to later learn of his death."

 

A fellow fish vendor, Ms. Sumitra Thawon, revealed that Mr. Jakkrit had missed selling at the market for two consecutive days. "Debt collectors came to him every day. He often mentioned the stress of making daily payments. He even joked with his sibling about escaping his debts, but we never thought he would take his own life. It's heartbreaking," she said.

 

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek out help.

 

-- 2025-01-20