The suicide rate in Thailand’s urban poor has seen a significant increase over the past month, according to a study commissioned by the TSRI in April.
Out of the 38 suicide attempts during that period, there have been 28 deaths.
The coronavirus outbreak and lockdown measures may be the cause as citizens are now forced into isolation, losing income as well as living in anxiety, according to the report.
The study was conducted by a group of academics from Chulalongkorn, Chiang Mai, Thammasat, Burapha, Khon Kaen and Taksin universities.
The research was based on press reports published over the first three weeks of April.
Although the lockdown has been successful in stabilizing the spread of the virus, it may have had a severe impact on people’s livelihoods and the economy.
The report accused the government of inefficiency in coming up with effective measures to curtail the impact of the outbreak on the people, especially the working class.
They highlighted the 5,000 baht monthly scheme as not being enough compensation for the people.
The report has been making headlines throughout various news media over the past week.
However, an official announcement from TSRI on Monday said the report still lacks sufficient data and it is not conclusive.
“We do not have enough data yet to draw such conclusions,” the representative from TSRI confirmed to Thai Enquirer, “the study is still being conducted and the information released is still in the beginning phases.”
For updates, please visit the TSRI official website.
You can view this ongoing study, in Thai, here.
(Photo Credit: Dominic Chakrabongse)
