Nz Tourist Found Dead

[george]

NZ tourist found dead

PHUKET: -- A New Zealand tourist was found dead in his Phuket hotel room yesterday with a note asking for a cremation in Thailand.

"Please dispose of my body by fire in Thailand," said a hand-written note left beside the bed where the body of Terrance Hicks, 45, was found in the Phuket Merlin Hotel.

Police also found 10 empty medicine packets for antihistamine and tranquilliser drugs near the note. Each packet had contained eight pills.

An empty plastic medicine bag with no prescription details, except advice that the drugs should be taken one or two at a time, was also found on the dressing table along with two empty water bottles.

Hicks had paid for his room on Saturday and told front desk staff he would check out yesterday.

He didn't answer a call at check-out time, so a maid was sent to check the room. After knocking for some time, she attempted to open the door, but found it chained from the inside. When the door's lock was removed, Hicks was found dead on his bed.

Lieutenant Thiwakorn Khong-phet of Muang district police station said Hicks checked into the hotel at noon on Friday. He was seen leaving and returning to the hotel on Saturday, when he paid his bills before returning to his room.

--The Nation 2005-06-20

[sneef]

well... if u have to top yuorself.... i guess here is the place to do it.... at least you'll make the news... !!!

Sad that anyone would do this... but i have been in low low low places myself and somtimes wondered id this was the answer....

Gods Speed to him, and budha look out for him.

If i were able to choose a planet to live on....this night not be it.

Sneef

(scuse the speeling... am drnk)

Edited June 19, 2005 by sneef

[chonabot]

A shame , feel for the guys dependants ( if any ) , but I am pondering the fact that he paid for the room before taking the overdose.

A last minute decision or just being considerate ?

Edited June 19, 2005 by chonabot

[farang62]

I agree with Sneef, whe I was younger it crossed my mind when things were bad. As I have discovered it is never that bad, I have my health, and my very suportive family and friends. I have asked and I have gotten help when I needed it.

As I have become older I now realize it is not they way out, patience and preserverence, with a good helping of friends will win out in the end.

May God and Buda be with his.

[No beleeeeve!]

Suicide has as its goal the idea of reducing the emotional pain that becomes so severe that normail coping mechanisms are overloaded and a person wants an immediate reduction in the pain and suicide, in their mind, is the only way to achieve that fast reduction.

So, the goal of pain reduction is a productive one, it is just the method to achieve that goal that needs to be changed to something more productive than suicide.

Just two cents for anyone thinking that very same thing this and others may be thinking.

[siam1946]

Suicide is a perminent solution to a temperary problem.

Tom Schubert

[mnoorsapl]

Hope Hick soul will be in peace. Suicide is not the way.

[desi]

but I am pondering the fact that he paid for the room before taking the overdose.

A last minute decision or just being considerate ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's actually a ritual some people go through before committing suicide. The quitting jobs, then getting the electric and other bits turned off, finally, saying good bye to loved ones.

My former room mate went through this process. I was listed on her apartment lease as her closest kin so I was contaced by the police with an offer to break the news to her family before they stepped in. Not fun at all. She'd been on suicide watch for some time but there was no way for any of us (short of locking her up and we did not have the right) to stop this train wreck.

[jaapfries]

NZ tourist found dead

PHUKET: -- A New Zealand tourist was found dead in his Phuket hotel room yesterday with a note asking for a cremation in Thailand.

"Please dispose of my body by fire in Thailand," said a hand-written note left beside the bed where the body of Terrance Hicks, 45, was found in the Phuket Merlin Hotel.

Police also found 10 empty medicine packets for antihistamine and tranquilliser drugs near the note. Each packet had contained eight pills.

An empty plastic medicine bag with no prescription details, except advice that the drugs should be taken one or two at a time, was also found on the <a  style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=dressing%20table" onmouseover="window.status='dressing table'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">dressing table</a> along with two empty <a  style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=water%20bottles" onmouseover="window.status='water bottles'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">water bottles</a>.

Hicks had paid for his room on Saturday and told front desk staff he would check out yesterday.

He didn't answer a call at check-out time, so a maid was sent to check the room. After knocking for some time, she attempted to open the door, but found it chained from the inside. When the door's lock was removed, Hicks was found dead on his bed.

Lieutenant Thiwakorn Khong-phet of Muang district police station said Hicks checked into the hotel at noon on Friday. He was seen leaving and returning to the hotel on Saturday, when he paid his bills before returning to his room.

--The Nation 2005-06-20

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"Suicide is a long-term solution to an, often, short term problem"

Sorry to see a K1W1 go like this; could it be that he'ld been watching the recent spate of Rugby defeats (excepting the NZ-Maori !) by the British Lions ? ? ?

I wonder.

May God have mercy on his soul.

[leisurely]

I feel sorriest for the poor individual who found his body.

[john b good]

NZ tourist found dead

PHUKET: -- A New Zealand tourist was found dead in his Phuket hotel room yesterday with a note asking for a cremation in Thailand.

"Please dispose of my body by fire in Thailand," said a hand-written note left beside the bed where the body of Terrance Hicks, 45, was found in the Phuket Merlin Hotel.

Police also found 10 empty medicine packets for antihistamine and tranquilliser drugs near the note. Each packet had contained eight pills.

An empty plastic medicine bag with no prescription details, except advice that the drugs should be taken one or two at a time, was also found on the <a  style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=dressing%20table" onmouseover="window.status='dressing table'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">dressing table</a> along with two empty <a  style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=water%20bottles" onmouseover="window.status='water bottles'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">water bottles</a>.

Hicks had paid for his room on Saturday and told front desk staff he would check out yesterday.

He didn't answer a call at check-out time, so a maid was sent to check the room. After knocking for some time, she attempted to open the door, but found it chained from the inside. When the door's lock was removed, Hicks was found dead on his bed.

Lieutenant Thiwakorn Khong-phet of Muang district police station said Hicks checked into the hotel at noon on Friday. He was seen leaving and returning to the hotel on Saturday, when he paid his bills before returning to his room.

--The Nation 2005-06-20

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"Suicide is a long-term solution to an, often, short term problem"

Sorry to see a K1W1 go like this; could it be that he'ld been watching the recent spate of Rugby defeats (excepting the NZ-Maori !) by the British Lions ? ? ?

I wonder.

May God have mercy on his soul.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Firstly may he rest in peace.

Secondly if people commiting suicide hinges on rugby results there is gonna be a whole bunch of pom's topping themselves come the 9th of July by which time they will have lost all three tests in NZ. Even JPR says that Clive has not got a clue.

[Soi Mongrel]

Where are the conspiracy hawks telling us he was murdered?

[Tornado]

Where are the conspiracy hawks telling us he was murdered?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

, Im never sure till Im Im sure

At least he didnt dive off a balcony....

Things are never that bad, but it was his life to take. Up to him.

[lecter]

fancy that.... topping yourself in a Phuket Hotel...

Cremate me in Thailand?..., not in sunny Dunedin?

Let's hope he has found peace...

[jomama]

I don't know why this is national news (I saw it on the Nation website). Why can't they let they poor guy die in peace and anonymity? There could be many reasons for him doing this: health, mental problems, finances, romance, etc. Happens all the time in the West, and at least where I come from, it's not reported in the local papers.

[EstellaRk]

I don't know why this is national news (I saw it on the Nation website). Why can't they let they poor guy die in peace and anonymity? There could be many reasons for him doing this: health, mental problems, finances, romance, etc.  Happens all the time in the West, and at least where I come from, it's not reported in the local papers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unfortunately incidents ( like this suicide case ) has some advantage and disadvantage effects to people when its goes into national news. Avantage in the sense it can give people second thoughts on the subject ... hopefully, and especially to those who are contemplating to do such awful thinking/plan, also it can at least let those who knows the victims particularly their immediate families, friends or those who knows them to be be informed if they unaware of what happened. And disadvantage, in the sense this is an awful decision or act a person in his right mind to do to end his/her life.

I like when you said quote: " there cud be many reasons behind such " and I am sure those people who decided to take their own lives just fall short of reasoning due primarily they were overcame by any of the above reasons you mentioned. Which for me the one major possibility to stop it is for the victim to have someone to talk to, a friend. For being alone will only makes it worse and pushes the thoughts to do it.

My apology to share these thoughts ... my younger sister in USA attempted suicide just yesterday but thank God and for the quick response from the police saves her life and she is now under recovery but the impact of this incident will have a long and uncertain recovery impact to both her(especially) and from ( ME ).. all of us her love ones.

[EstellaRk]

well... if u have to top yuorself.... i guess here is the place to do it.... at least you'll make the news... !!!

Sad that anyone would do this... but i have been in low low low places myself and somtimes wondered id this was the answer....

Gods Speed to him, and budha look out for him.

If i were able to choose a planet to live on....this night not be it.

Sneef

(scuse the speeling... am drnk)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sneef, thank you for your thoughts it gives some perpective on what happened to my younger sister in USA just yesterday afternoon. She is safe now but I still got a lot of things to think about of what & why it happened??

[jomama]

Who knows...there are so many reasons that could be possible. In ancient cultures a man's death was as important as his life -- how he died, whether he died with dignity. I think we should afford this man the dignity to die without making fun of him or plastering his name in newspapers. It was his life.

[VanZam]

Sorry to see a fellow NZer go this way, thoughts are with his family.

May he rest in peace.

[EstellaRk]

I agree with Sneef, whe I was younger it crossed my mind when things were bad. As I have discovered it is never that bad, I have my health, and my very suportive family and friends. I have asked and I have gotten help when I needed it.

As I have become older I now realize it is not they way out, patience and preserverence, with a good helping of friends will win out in the end.

May God and Buda be with his.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you on your kind thoughts and words on the subject. I like it when you said : " with a good helping of friends will win out in the end ". or more importantly family members will win out in the end.

[EstellaRk]

Suicide has as its goal the idea of reducing the emotional pain that becomes so severe that normail coping mechanisms are overloaded and a person wants an immediate reduction in the pain and suicide, in their mind, is the only way to achieve that fast reduction.

So, the goal of pain reduction is a productive one, it is just the method to achieve that goal that needs to be changed to something more productive than suicide.

Just two cents for anyone thinking that very same thing this and others may be thinking.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Appreciate your comments and thoughts on this subject. At this point of time I need lots of support and words of wisdom on the subject as one just recently younger sister undergone to such an awful decision , bless the Good Lord she was saved.

[thaigene2]

I don't know why this is national news (I saw it on the Nation website). Why can't they let they poor guy die in peace and anonymity? There could be many reasons for him doing this: health, mental problems, finances, romance, etc.  Happens all the time in the West, and at least where I come from, it's not reported in the local papers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes I agree with this comment. When the suicide is dubious (police call it a suicide adding that the guy shot himself twice in the head and then climbed over the railing and jumped from the 23rd floor..okay put it under the media spotlight to get at the cops).

But I get the rather uncomfortable feeling that the motivation for publishing 'farang suicides' is it creates a 'loser' stereotype of the lone male traveler in Thailand. It angers me. Like you say jomama suicide happens all the time everywhere. I'll be lots of Thai hi-so women are topping themselves over their sami's mia-noi habits..but you don't read about them very often.

[windows]

I'm not envious of the sad thoughts that maybe he suffered before he died. May he rest in peace.

[350torana]

A very tragic story. And one that should be kept private , I feel for him dying alone away from his home and his family. I can relate as my wife went through a serious bout of depression, attempting to kill herself and our young daughter many times, she was a very troubled young lady .

My point is she is better through support from me, docters and her and my family. It seems like this guy was all alone and along way from his support base

[mrbojangles]

I'm really torn on this one. Of course I feel extremely sorry for the guy, he must have been living a H ell of a life to do this to himself. I don't profess to know anything about the state someone's mind must be in, when they find that there are no alternatives but to do this to themselves. However, I can't help feeling my blood boil when I do hear of stories like this. My own Father died at a very young age of 39 with Leukemia. He left behind a wife and 3 young children who worshipped and loved him. He was told he had 3 months to live but fought all the way to the bitter end and lasted 9 precious months. Why is it, that the people who want to live cannot but others treat life so cheaply. This guy paid his bills but did he leave a donor card so that others may live a better life than he had endured.

Don't mean to cause offense to anyone, just food for thought. And if your contemplating suicide........don't. Just try to remember happier times in the past, you can regain them and live a happier life in the future. There ain't no happiness after suicide and that's final.

Mr BoJ

[califdann]

Gee, when was the last time that a maid came up to check on you when you didn't answer the wake up call? Never happened to me. Also, a wake up call? Hmmmm.... At least here is one conspiracy therory...

Dann

[Tippaporn]

I agree with Sneef, whe I was younger it crossed my mind when things were bad. As I have discovered it is never that bad, I have my health, and my very suportive family and friends. I have asked and I have gotten help when I needed it.

As I have become older I now realize it is not they way out, patience and preserverence, with a good helping of friends will win out in the end.

May God and Buda be with his.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

farang62 has hit it on the nail; things are never that bad. I think some people do learn that as they get older and no longer overeact during a storm. They've found that the sun does not disappear forever. Nor does the damage from the storm need to be permanent, irreversible or crippling.

If I would throw in my two cents I'd remind people that happiness exists in every moment. And so does sadness. It's truly not difficult to make the choice to seek the thoughts that produce happiness all the time. It does take a deliberate, conscious effort, though.

Thoughts produce emotion and not the other way around. And thoughts attract like thoughts through the process of association. It will snowball in either direction. Importantly, life's manifestations follow if enough thought energy is involved.

Emotions are a tool. Unfortunately, most do not understand this and place themselves at the whims of their emotions rather than purposefully directing their emotions. That makes all the difference in this world. Not just in terms of your mental state of being but your physical one as well. Your physical state of being would include your body and the experiences that you would consider to be "outside" of yourself.

My thoughts go out to a fellow traveler. Truthfully, I can't say I'm sad since I've learned that things always work out in the end, even in such extreme cases as this. My hope is that everyone here can turn to the happiness that is ever-present.

Edited June 21, 2005 by Tippaporn

[bdenner]

Very sad. If he had only waited 24 hours maybe Michael Campbell's efforts would have directed him down another path.

[penelope]

The beauty and simplicity of nature.Only the strongest survive.

Strip away all the man made abstractions in this world (words,money,religion,opinions,laws,fashion etc ...etc....)...and we are left with the single constant that governs and controls all of us..NATURE.

RIP mate.

[meadish_sweetball]

I'm really torn on this one. Of course I feel extremely sorry for the guy, he must have been living a H ell of a life to do this to himself. I don't profess to know anything about the state someone's mind must be in, when they find that there are no alternatives but to do this to themselves. However, I can't help feeling my blood boil when I do hear of stories like this. My own Father died at a very young age of 39 with Leukemia. He left behind a wife and 3 young children who worshipped and loved him. He was told he had 3 months to live but fought all the way to the bitter end and lasted 9 precious months. Why is it, that the people who want to live cannot but others treat life so cheaply. This guy paid his bills but did he leave a donor card so that others may live a better life than he had endured.

Don't mean to cause offense to anyone, just food for thought. And if your contemplating suicide........don't. Just try to remember happier times in the past, you can regain them and live a happier life in the future. There ain't no happiness after suicide and that's final.

Mr BoJ

What you are saying makes sense from the perspective of somebody who is healthy.

I also you are right in assuming you don't fully understand what is going on inside a severely depressed person. It is an endless spiral of negative thoughts, a pattern that becomes sick (and that you in some way can see through, realize something is wrong). But the way your mind works when you have reached that stage, is that you only take this realization to be further proof that you are not fit for life, that you are messed up, sick, and a burden to everybody else. You are really convinced you would be better off dead, and that everyone around you are just being nice to you out of obligation, not because they actually love you.

These people need tons of support to get back on the right track again. Sometimes SSRI's can help with this (although in a small percentage of people, they worsen symptoms, so they should not be taken unmonitored, and never by teenagers).

It takes a truly strong and loving person to be able to turn a severely depressed person back on track. And even that may not always be enough.