Thai-Cambodian border dispute affects mental health of Surin residents

By NUPPOL SUVANSOMBUT

SURIN, 6 March 2011 (NNT)-Surin’s Public Health Office said the Thai-Cambodian border fight had taken its toll on the psychological well-being of the residents living close to the frontier with over 100 of them reported to have become depressed and suicidal.

Deputy Surin Public Health Officer, Peerasak Polprueksa disclosed that 483 patients had sought medical attention at the provincial health center so far,with flu, muscle pains and diarrhea as the common sickness among Surin residents.

Among those, 134 from 15 villages have been found with mental problems, due to the uncertainty surrounding the Thai-Cambodian border. Dr. Peerasak also added that after over 1,500 border residents had taken a mental health test, more than half of them said their stress was mild while a quarter of them said their stress was moderate.

5% of the residents were reported to have a severe case of stress while 3% of them were found to be suicidal. According to Dr. Peerasak, those who are at risk are receiving counseling while some of them are on medications.

-- NNT 2011-03-06

Deputy Surin Public Health Officer, Peerasak Polprueksa disclosed that 483 patients had sought medical attention at the provincial health center so far,with flu, muscle pains and diarrhea as the common sickness among Surin residents.

WTF? What has flu, muscle pain and diarrhea to do with a war which isn't really near Surin.

The problem area belongs to Sisaket, Amphur Kantharalak. People there were really mentally stressed out for a while. Who's writing such weird stories? Mr. Peerasak, the mental health hospital called Si Maha Poo in Ubon is open and always available for you dear Sir.

With kindest regards,

Mr. Somtahm, Surin:jap:

No mention of statistics for the general population. The concept of the scientific process has yet to be born in Thailand.

Typical "Nation" reporting.

No mention of statistics for the general population. The concept of the scientific process has yet to be born in Thailand.

Typical "Nation" reporting.

Also, it should be noted that those good folks of Surin that are extended as this percentage belong to a tight minority population along the southern districts. Surin Province takes up a large area. Most outside the war affected region have no such ill effects at all. Actually, all this whimsical study harks of your typical Western psycho-babble.

Looking at the numbers given by the health minister , it would appear to be no different than the rest of the Thai village residents country wide , all about hype and attention getting , is he looking for some kind of hand out ? Teaching the people good health practices would reduce sickness problems considerably through out the whole country , hygiene should start at home .

After reading this does any farang residing in Surin feel that he is living in an asylum?

If the good folk of Surin are feeling stress I would tend to think that living in crap housing, having an unvaried and deficient diet, and having inadequate schooling or medical facilities while fed a diet of trashy soaps and TV advertisements where everybody owns a Benz, lives in a palatial home, owns and uses a variety of weapons and quarrels with everybody within reach, might have something to do with it.

After reading this does any farang residing in Surin feel that he is living in an asylum?

If the good folk of Surin are feeling stress I would tend to think that living in crap housing, having an unvaried and deficient diet, and having inadequate schooling or medical facilities while fed a diet of trashy soaps and TV advertisements where everybody owns a Benz, lives in a palatial home, owns and uses a variety of weapons and quarrels with everybody within reach, might have something to do with it.

Well said Bagwan

or spend their days lonely and miserable staring at a PC

I can think of many 'nut-jobs' around the Surin area and the only war they know is with their waistline!