AFTERMATH
Condo victims' families fight depression
ANAN WICHITPRACHA
PONGSATAT RUJIPUTTANYAPAT
The Nation



PATHUM THANI: -- THE RECENT fatal condo-building collapse has driven three members of victims' families into depression, with three others having suicidal moods.

Mental Health Department director-general Dr Jessada Chokdamrongsuk said yesterday.

He added that the hardest-hit were those who lost five family members in this single accident.

On August 11, a six-storey building that was under construction at the U Place condominium project in Pathum Thani crumbled down, trapping several workers. The collapse claimed 14 lives and injured many more.

Jessada said lesser-affected victims had developed adjustment disorders with depression and acute stress disorder. Symptoms include poor concentration, startled response, anxiety and insomnia.

"If their symptoms don't stop within four weeks, they are at risk of suffering post-traumatic stress disorder," he said.

The Mental Health Department has already extended rehabilitation help to seven families who lost members in the accident. Mental health checks have also been offered to survivors and witnesses.

The department's deputy director-general, Dr Panpimol Wipulakorn, said her agency was also tracking Cambodian survivors.

"They too should undergo mental health checks," she said.

Meanwhile, investigators said they had received information from 40 relevant people. "Of the seven suspects, five have surrendered and are now out on bail," Pathum Thani police chief Maj-General Smith Mukdasanit said.

These suspects are charged with recklessness causing the deaths of others. He added that two other suspects included constructor Chanaichon Kerdthes, a son of a former top-ranking policeman Chalor.

According to Smith, Chanaichon has not yet contacted police. His surrender could have speeded up the investigation.

The Engineering Institute of Thailand has inspected the site of the accident to determine what exactly caused the accident and who should be held responsible.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Condo-victims-families-fight-depression-30241391.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-21

About whom are we speaking here?

The victims or the Thai victims?

What about the Cambodian victims?

If THE NATION was a professional newspaper it would have followed up what happened to the Cambodians who are MORE victims than THAIS because they even don't have the money to go back home.

I saw something similar near my home.

A temporary construction at a site, collapsed and killed a few Cambodians.

They way those people are treated is disgusting.

According to Smith, Chanaichon has not yet contacted police. His surrender could have speeded up the investigation.

If they ever catch this character, a whole can of worms is waiting to be opened.His absence speaks volumes.

I saw something similar near my home.

A temporary construction at a site, collapsed and killed a few Cambodians.

They way those people are treated is disgusting.

Strange, so many on this forum proclaim that the Thais are not uncaring or racist towards their neighbors, so how can this be true?

I somehow not sure whether Thais knows the meaning of the word depression, knowing them

very weel over the years leaves the impression that Money fixes every thing here, even "depression"

This accident is about an daily average bus accident in Thailand. We never hear anything about what happens of the families of the bus accidents ? Why ? Dying in an construction accident is more worth than a bus accident ?????

" what exactly caused the accident " The Thainess, to be number one is just a joke. Thais always does it as the last one. Engineering skills in Thailand are very much below international standards.