Picture from responders.

 

A 49-year-old man ended his life on the 6th of February, in the quiet rural village of Ban Manaw Wan, Uthai Thani province. Police were called to the scene at approximately 12:30, where they discovered the lifeless body of Sakda Phan-on lying in a pool of blood beside his home at No. 10, Moo 14, Ban Manaw Wan, in the district of Thap Than. A shotgun was found by his side, with a gunshot wound to the chest.

 

Authorities, including forensic specialists, medical personnel, and local rescue workers, arrived shortly after to conduct an examination of the scene and confirm the cause of death.

 

Sakda's mother, 67-year-old Choo-Sri Phan-on, shared that her son had often expressed feelings of hopelessness, mentioning his desire to end his life. She revealed that Sakda had been undergoing treatment for a brain disorder, which he had struggled with for some time. On the day of the incident, Choo-Sri had just returned from working on the family farm when she found her son's body. Shocked, she removed the gun from his hand and placed it nearby before alerting the local village head and neighbours.

 

The village head, Mr. Saroj Phakdeesuk, explained that Sakda had a history of substance abuse and had been undergoing treatment for rehabilitation at a hospital. His course of treatment was set to end later this year. Along with ongoing psychiatric medication, Sakda had quit smoking and drinking, but despite these efforts, he had repeatedly voiced frustration over his lack of progress in recovering.

 

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.

 

-- 2025-02-08