Mental Health Department Advise Public On Thaksin Asset Case

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Don't get too steamed up over assets case, doctors advise

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Mental Health Department came out yesterday to soothe the growing public jitters over the Thaksin assets case, urging everyone to remain calm and collected and not let their emotions get away from them.

"We need to trust the system and believe we can ride out this political crisis despite the different political views," said Dr Chatree Bancheun, the department's director-general.

He urged everybody to seek a balanced treatment, and act rationally. Highly sensitive people should avoid listening to or following news bulletins on the situation on the verdict day as they could develop stress.

The media could help by covering the event using facts, not sensational means.

"The media should not deliver any news reports that might lead to conflict in society. This will help people to reduce stress caused by political tension," he said.

Discussions about political issues should also not create friction.

"The different opinions should not start a conflict among your family and friends," he said.

Dr Sujarit Suvancheep, an adviser to the department, said nowadays society is full of conflict, which leads to arguments and the destruction of property.

People lose their temper when they can't get what they want or expect, and they release their anger irrationally. Once that develops, it leads to symptoms like migraines, backaches, stomach-aches, high blood pressure and heart disease.

"If you don't want to be under stress, just stop being mad," he said.

If people could see through their rage, it would be easy for them to properly control their emotions.

Relaxation would also help people emit endorphins - a pharmacological activity that works as a "natural pain reliever". This would help people refresh their minds.

-- The Nation 2010-02-24

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[dom samui]

I like this country tooooooooooooo much !!! Want to stay cool ? Just make same nothing happened...

[landofthefree]

I like this country tooooooooooooo much !!! Want to stay cool ? Just make same nothing happened...

Does anyone get the feeling that the Government are scared about the results of what they have done?

Would someone please remind them that in the real world you have to be big boys and girls and remember there are consequences for your actions. This government have been obsessed about trying to hurt one individual (who I am sure most people in the world couldnt care less about) and are now scared about all that bad karma coming back to hit them in the face which it probably will do. The Thai words 'SOM NAM NAR 'come to mind!

[Jim's_a_Thai_Fox]

What an in-depth and informative piece of journalism.

Next, can we expect a rich article instructing those who require oxygen for survival on how in successfully inhale and exhale?

[tooninthai]

This is too much.

The 'Mentals' at the Health Dept ........

[colinscarr]

'Don't panic Captain Mainwaring!'

[rixalex]

Would someone please remind them that in the real world you have to be big boys and girls and remember there are consequences for your actions.

I hope Khun.T is listening to those wise words.

[AmmartBudsob]

If "anxiety and mental conditions" are a concern, that is a new wrinkle.

One must keep everything in perspective. Most political stuff can be contextualized, and evaluated accordingly.

All of this frenzy surrounding Thaksin's financial court stuff is mostly created and fanned by the 'Ammart', aided and abetted by their media friends.

Quoting an important person, "State run TV and radio is being used by the Govt, and by extension the 'Ammart', to destroy political opponents"

All these articles raising every kind of 'red herring' they can think of, including the mental health thing this morning, is an indication of this concerted attack on political opponents.

To quote this important person further, "Thai people's ears and eyes are being closed more tightly than in Communist countries" by this media onslaught.

Makes me fearful of even the remotest possibility of conducting fair elections in the future, where the media is thoroughly compromised as in this Financial court thing. Controlling both the media and the vote counters by one side of a political divide is not healthy for democratic principles.

[Deez]

If I wasnt living in thailand and read this I would think it was a joke.

[SomTumTiger]

Perhaps the mental health department could spare some advice for Thaksin, who appears to be slippping further from reality daily?

Edited February 24, 2010 by SomTumTiger

[rkidlad]

"We need to trust the system and believe we can ride out this political crisis despite the different political views"

Why would anyone trust the system?

[Chris Lawrence]

Honestly, which anti-depressant medication do I need to take for this. You would have thought the ministry would have been more clear on this aspect? But very big implication if the Mental Health Department has to give advice. Never heard such advice before on political issue.

[Losangels]

Next we'll have the Agriculture Department advising the public on this case

[h90]

I like this country tooooooooooooo much !!! Want to stay cool ? Just make same nothing happened...

Does anyone get the feeling that the Government are scared about the results of what they have done?

Would someone please remind them that in the real world you have to be big boys and girls and remember there are consequences for your actions. This government have been obsessed about trying to hurt one individual (who I am sure most people in the world couldnt care less about) and are now scared about all that bad karma coming back to hit them in the face which it probably will do. The Thai words 'SOM NAM NAR 'come to mind!

what has this government done against Thaksin???

[FunkyGuru]

In my understanding, this could be the worlds first. Health department issuing advise on mental health to public on a regular political crisis?

Then again, from whatever I have understood of Thai society, it is very appropriate. Thailand has to still learn the fine aspects of what the world understands as 'Democracy'. Such events do tend to stress the Thai society. It's just that they are not used to confrontation. Facing reality is not known to them. Saving one's face I suppose.

[ballpoint]

Next we'll have the Agriculture Department advising the public on this case

Why not? They have experience at dealing with pests that destroy livelihoods.

[ballpoint]

Perhaps the mental health department could spare some advice for Thaksin, who appears to be slippping further from reality daily?

Must admit, that was my first thought when I saw the thread title. I'm sure they could provide some advice and medication for him, and possibly suitable clothing in the form of a jacket that ties up at the back.

[lensta]

absolutely speechless

Edited February 24, 2010 by lensta

[slapout]

After reading the article and noting who the author was, it brought to mind the old folks observation that the patients in the loony bin could be discharged but the shrinks were confined for life.

[RKASA]

Maybe they should come up with a 12 step program for the corrupt. Problem is who would be running the government until the first class comes out?

[landofthefree]

I like this country tooooooooooooo much !!! Want to stay cool ? Just make same nothing happened...

Does anyone get the feeling that the Government are scared about the results of what they have done?

Would someone please remind them that in the real world you have to be big boys and girls and remember there are consequences for your actions. This government have been obsessed about trying to hurt one individual (who I am sure most people in the world couldnt care less about) and are now scared about all that bad karma coming back to hit them in the face which it probably will do. The Thai words 'SOM NAM NAR 'come to mind!

what has this government done against Thaksin???

If you really dont know take a taxi ride around Bangkok and ask the driver, he will give you a long reply but my short reply is they have tried to get revenge by taking his money out of spite. You, me and them arent going to see one satang of it so why should we or they care?It will hurt a lot of innocent people though and they will pay for the consequences, that is worth caring about.

[tonglen]

Why doesn't the gov't just come out and say that they've already made their decision? Will it surprise anyone as to the verdict? All this emotional steadying and readying to try and prepare for "what might happen."

Indeed, it already has, at least in my humble opinion. I hope the Gov't takes the money and pays off some debts of the Chaolay or gives it to the newly created Humane Society of Bangkok. The governments are going to the dogs all over the world anyway.

Or create an educational center in Klong Toey. They could do all these and still have a billion left.

[Cayenne]

I thought the Mental Health Department already declared Thaksin as clinically insane, no?

[Chris Lawrence]

Maybe they should come up with a 12 step program for the corrupt. Problem is who would be running the government until the first class comes out?

Have you sat in service committee meetings? Go for hours and go no where; but then again that is politics?