British man’s “suicide” at Pattaya condominium

[webfact]

British Man’s “Suicide” at Central Pattaya Condominium



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Morning Police and Medics were called to a Central Pattaya Condominium to deal with a British National who appears to have committed suicide.

Lying on the ground at the base of Building A at Niran Grand Condo in Soi Arunothai was the body of Mr. Philip Lee Atkins aged 62 from London, England. Electric cables were tied around his neck and he had suffered life-ending injuries after he apparently fell from his 4th floor balcony.

According to a neighbor, Khun Jiraporn aged 47, he had been living with his wife who had recently left him. Mr. Atkins was visibly upset and had been reportedly drinking excessively since his Wife had left him.

Police entered the room of the victim and saw no signs of a struggle or other signs of foul play. They did find a collection of electric power cables which Mr. Atkins appears to have tied together and used to create a noose. He is thought to have attempted to hang himself over his balcony and then fell to the ground. It is not clear as yet if he passed-away before he fell or not.

Full story: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/123412/british-mans-suicide-at-central-pattaya-condominium/


-- Pattaya One 2014-03-31

[godwish4love]

What a pity that foreigners end up killing them self after losing their beloved thai wife, thai wife indeed. rest in peace heart broken man.

[JonnyMoz]

I went down to the river,

I set down on the bank.

I tried to think but couldn't,

So I jumped in and sank.

RIP

[andygunther]

R I P Heart broken man.

[ezzra]

Could that have been because money problems? No more money? Thai wife get up and leave, man kill self...

[chaiyapoon]

Tragic,hope i never face a similar problem.

Face life and try and find some positives and go on.We , the rest of us will never fully understand why some think this is their only option.

RIP.

[Songhua]

Here's hoping someone found Mr Atkins' brother before he himself saw the note and the article it accompanies splashed all over the news.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Songhua

[Morakot]

Compare Media Guidelines for the reporting of suicide in the UK. Journalists in Thailand (who report in English) might learn something here.

If you have been affected by these issues: Contact Samaritans Thailand

Edited March 31, 2014 by Morakot

[kkup]

RIP. - Re wife, there are plenty more where you found the 1st one, don't despair.

[Pattaya46]

Why the quotes around "suicide" in this topic's title ?

What make you think it could not be a suicide in this case ?

[robertthebruce]

How sad is this... poor poor man..

R.I.P.

[Rimmer]

Off topic post and reply removed

[jacko45k]

Why the quotes around "suicide" in this topic's title ?

What make you think it could not be a suicide in this case ?

There is and always should be a suspicion.

But a sad way to go.

[theoldgit]

Why the quotes around "suicide" in this topic's title ?

What make you think it could not be a suicide in this case ?

I suppose they should have said apparent suicide, at this stage the police cannot confirm whether the poor guy fell or actually intended to take his own life.

Most countries would report the same way, certainly in the UK it would not be classed as a definite suicide until a verdict in a Coroners Court.

RIP old fella.

[Jip99]

A sad end.

R.I.P.

[Ohio]

R I P. Very sad to suffer that deep a despondency

I hope Never to get that Despondent.

But I Never can contemplate Suicide because of someone else.

What's wrong with Nembutal ??, it is better than all these 'messy' incidents.

[i claudius]

Could that have been because money problems? No more money? Thai wife get up and leave, man kill self...

Why do people assume that all Thai women marry a man for money? just because a few deluded fools fall for some bar girl who sees money as no 1, i know a guy who is very ill and has little money ,but his wife has nursed and cared for the poor sod for years and will be devastated when he finally goes ,he is her life and she is Thai and from a poor familly.

[phantomfiddler]

Very sad, and I have on many occasions become overwhelmed with delight when they packed their clothes up and headed for greener pastures

[smileydude]

Its rather sadly interesting that the countries like Greenland (1) South Korea (3) Japan (10) are developed countries yet suffer from high suicide rates. Thailand is ranked 59. It seems economic development is only a part of the equation with our happiness index also linked to:

Physical wellness

Mental wellness

Social wellness

Workplace wellness

Political wellness

Environmental wellness

I think many would agree that mental and economic wellness would top the list of causes of suicide.

I am not surprised that many foreigners commit suicide in Thailand as they lack the social support network locals may have but many people don't open up well either. As for the commonly implied Thai wife running off with the money, well, we choose our own partners so we have to use our best judgement to deal with that.

RIP and my condolences to whoever has lost a grandfather, father, brother, and son.

[Docno]

Its rather sadly interesting that the countries like Greenland (1) South Korea (3) Japan (10) are developed countries yet suffer from high suicide rates. Thailand is ranked 59. It seems economic development is only a part of the equation with our happiness index also linked to:

Physical wellness

Mental wellness

Social wellness

Workplace wellness

Political wellness

Environmental wellness

I think many would agree that mental and economic wellness would top the list of causes of suicide.

I am not surprised that many foreigners commit suicide in Thailand as they lack the social support network locals may have but many people don't open up well either. As for the commonly implied Thai wife running off with the money, well, we choose our own partners so we have to use our best judgement to deal with that.

RIP and my condolences to whoever has lost a grandfather, father, brother, and son.

The other key factor not included here is attitudes toward suicide. In some cultures, suicide is considered a more 'acceptable' option. To be honest, it does seem preferrable to ticking off one's final days/years in an old age home or hospital. But unfortunately, most people (like this poor gentleman) do it during a period of emotial turmoil during which they cannot rationally evaluate their options and possible futures.

[Bluespunk]

Is that the actual suicide note?

[connda]

Sad. RIP.

[cheeryble]

Everyone needs.a foundation of philosophy so they view the things that hapoen to us all in a more healthy and resilient way.

Because it's not what happens to you, it's how you react to it, your mental state, that counts.

It needs to be deeply ingrained in us, and I'm amazed it's not taught, because the way you think is a skill.

You might call it prophylactic philosophy.

Reduce the "self"....there isn't one, you're just a collection of habits.

Reduce the demand that everything "must" be this or that and certain things "mustn't" haooen.

That I "should" have plenty of money or love and a three bedroom house.

Be ready for the world to never quite work out right, and see temporaries in everything, and you will be prepared for anything and remain above the trials and tribulations with a knowing smile.

RIP

Edited March 31, 2014 by cheeryble

[empireboy]

It's a sad situation when one's hopes sink so low as to bring on self-destruction. Obviously he had the feeling that there was nobody to turn too. RIP

[DD13]

RIP. - Re wife, there are plenty more where you found the 1st one, don't despair.

Exactly.............there are 800,000 Bar girls in Thailand..........if you want to go down that route

Alternatively do the wise thing and find a respectable girl.......

If you feel that "low".......go to the hospital and visit children with terminal health problems.....and think yourself lucky that you have only a "broken heart"

Or go to the Father Ray foundation and see the smiling faces on the unfortunate disabled people, who are accepting their fate and still enjoying themselves

Or call the Samaritans

RIP

[aira]

This is a sad story:( Rest in Peace, Mr. Lee

[DekDaeng]

RIP. - Re wife, there are plenty more where you found the 1st one, don't despair.

Yes.

Bar stool

never got cool.

[crazydrummerpauly]

Could that have been because money problems? No more money? Thai wife get up and leave, man kill self...

Why do people assume that all Thai women marry a man for money? just because a few deluded fools fall for some bar girl who sees money as no 1, i know a guy who is very ill and has little money ,but his wife has nursed and cared for the poor sod for years and will be devastated when he finally goes ,he is her life and she is Thai and from a poor familly.

Well said. Such kindness from Thais is not as rare in LOS as so many posters insist.

[nycjoe]

Love and Money, Money can't buy you love. I know many Farang-Thai relationships that are very good and last for a lifetime. But I still believe that I am 25, but when I look in the mirror I see a 69 year old. Thank God I can tell tell myself the truth.

My advise to the lovelorn would be to just be as happy as you can for the few remaining years you have left. This is your time. Love yourself.

[dotpoom]

May he rest in peace and may his brother be OK after learning the tragic news. My wife and I have been together about 6 years now and have come to know and understand each other very well. She understands my "Woody Allen" / "Jack Benny" type humor now and actually breaks her heart laughing when she hears me getting stuck into something along those lines. Can you imagine what it was like for us during those first few years when she hadn't a clue what I was going on about and thought everything I said I was serious about. She had no idea what "sarcastic, black" humor was and even my friends said a Thai person will never understand it. ..................Why am I telling you this? Some people suggest (like here already) that when a relationship breaks up it's just a matter of finding a new one to fill the place of the person who has left.

I, on the other hand can understand why this poor man (62 I think) may not have had the strength, will or the desire to start up all over again.

I am not saying that the course he took was right....you know what they say about that....."A permanent solution to a temporary problem". I'm saying I understand how he might have felt....loneliness can be a killer....that I do know something about.