Thailand confronts soaring suicide rates

An analysis of suicide attempts highlights adolescents and school-age children being the most vulnerable, followed by working-age people.

According to experts, some of the main causes are mental health conditions, notably depression exacerbated by the negative influence of social media such as derogatory comments and cyberbullying.

Dr Kraisit Narukhatphichai, psychiatrist and managing director of Manarom Hospital, noted that frequent media coverage of suicides has contributed to greater public awareness of depression as a medical condition.

Meanwhile, WHO has reported that Thailand sees an average of more than 5,000 suicides per year or approximately 13 persons per day.