Hotline 1599 launched today to quell problem of high suicide rate of policemen

BANGKOK, 7 October 2014 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police is launching its 1599 hotline for the prevention of suicides by stressed-out policemen today.

In a bid to solve the problem of the high number of suicides by police officers, National police commissioner Somyot Phumphanmuang is launching a hotline for stressed policemen to call.

The hotline's call center will be staffed by psychologists from the Police General Hospital, who will also consult with other staff drawn from the police force to advise the callers about specific woes frequently faced by policemen.

According to Pol. Gen. Somyot, studies have found several factors that contribute to suicides by policemen, which include financial issues, stress from work, family problems and illness.

He has also told officials in supervisory roles to closely look into the well-being of their subordinates and provide them with moral support.

Pol. Gen. Somyot added that the setting up of the hotline is in response to the increased number of suicides by police officers over the past one year.


-- NNT 2014-10-07

Suicide - the sincerest form of self-criticism. (Donald Kaul)

I suppose they could try guilt counseling.

Better training and a substantial increase in wages probably wouldn't go astray.

Suicide, however you look at it, is awful.

However - I love the timing of this press release.

Rouse the sympathy of the masses for the Police Force - because - hey! they're only human, too!

Be nice to them!

A friend of mine has to do 24 hr shifts. He does one day on, two days off. That can't be good for mental health.

Financial issues like... Where to hide all the money?

Stress like... How to live with the guilt?

Stressed out counting all that extorted dosh; it must be a nightmare !

"According to Pol. Gen. Somyot, studies have found several factors that contribute to suicides by policemen, which include financial issues, stress from work, family problems and illness."

So, just the same as everyone else then?

I suggest better collection methods introduced. Like simple bank transfers.

Must be stressing like hell to have to run around collecting 500 THB, from every illegal immigrant every month.

How many commit suicide while in police custody oh sorry they are the police ?

A friend of mine has to do 24 hr shifts. He does one day on, two days off. That can't be good for mental health.

That can't be much good for law and order either, but it does answer the burning question why there are next to no police out and about at night; they are sleeping.

A clear conscience might be good starting point...

Suicide, however you look at it, is awful.

However - I love the timing of this press release.

Rouse the sympathy of the masses for the Police Force - because - hey! they're only human, too!

Be nice to them!

yes yes....& don't insult them too or else....

A friend of mine has to do 24 hr shifts. He does one day on, two days off. That can't be good for mental health.

That was the system a few years ago on Samui, change-over at 4pm; don't expect to get much done around 3.

Who am I kidding? Don't expect to get much done anytime.

BTW had a phone call early one morning (3am?) that punks were breaking into our shop. On the way, ran into a police patrol, but they couldn't help as they were on patrol (Doh!)

Well to be honest, the work load for these police Constables and NCO's are too high and stressful indeed. They are part of us, and just because the system is corrupt doesn't mean they are not human being. And many are good people I would like to believe.

They need counseling and guidance and rests.

It's trying to pay back the chief for their position and not being able to pay it back...

Well to be honest, the work load for these police Constables and NCO's are too high and stressful indeed. They are part of us, and just because the system is corrupt doesn't mean they are not human being. And many are good people I would like to believe.

They need counseling and guidance and rests.

Yes i agree...

It can be very stressful going door to door collecting money and collecting money from drivers without being seen or caught....

I dont recall very many suicides reported the last year.

They should use that money for the hotline to help the people who are too stressed at not having enough to pay the bribe to the BIB.

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Regardless of whether you are a police officer , Train driver or a general, it is not a good outlook on Thai society as a whole , everyone can have a good poke at the police, but I think in this instance a-little maturity wouldn't hurt, as this probably would be indicative of the work force in Thailand, just how often this goes on in all walks of life in Thailand is anybody's guess , until people acknowledge there is a problem and the relevant departments take up the challenge, as usual nothing will get done

Could someone explain to me what the problem is? Might have to find gainful employment?

It is the strain of fitting people up and counting bribe money that does it/

• High suicide rate of Thai police officers: Hotline 1599 launched to quell problem

I'm still trying to figure out which part of the headline is the good news.

Stressed out due to the lack of Tea money from tourists who have decided to spend there money elsewhere !

Can they set up a suicide hotline for all the farmers who were taken in by Yingluck's rice scam scheme?

Please don't make them sad...

Is the suicide rate as decribed to the ranks of policeman from the same source of th sherlocks who classfy so many of the farang deaths/mishaps as suicide?

This does seem to be a common cause of death as per official reports, could this be due to requiring only a single page report vs violent, accident, natural, etc deaths, which reqire a gazillion reports/copies, etc.

maybe one day, they get up and have suddenly a conscience, that what they are doing, every day, is not police work, but extortion, racketeering, illegal gambling, ...

Is this a hotline for police who are contemplating suicide or concluding that all obvious murders are suicides?

At any rate I hope it is more effective than the taxi complaint hotline.

Ummm.....................what is the rate of suicide?

Compared to other police forces around the world?

Compared to the general population of Thailand?

Or is there some other "hidden agenda" here?

Just asking

How on earth could a policemans job, here in Thailand, be stressful?.....I mean for goodness sake......!!

Mybe some of the deceased just didn't have the money to pay for the promotion??

....................because the R.T.P. really do need special treatment, poor souls that they are....................