The Province of Lamphun had the highest number, at 14.81 suicides per 100,000 population
BANGKOK – The Department of Mental Health in Thailand has released a report stating that approximately 12 Thais committed suicide each day in 2013, with the northern province of Lamphun reporting the highest number.
In the report Department director-general Jetsada Chokdamrongsuk states 3,936 people killed themselves in 2013, an average of 328 people a month, or 10-12 people a day, this averaged out at one person every two hours.
Stating most of the suicide victims were men, at 9.7 per 100,000 population, and only 2.58 women.
The Province of Lamphun had the highest number, at 14.81 suicides per 100,000 population, and Pattani the lowest at 1.18 per 100,000 people. Overall, suicides were more prevalent in the North. The average suicide rate for the whole country was 6.08 per 100,000 in 2013.
The northeastern region showed a tendency for rising suicides from 3.9/100,000 in 2011 to 4.71 in 2013.
Hanging was the most popular method, accounting for 66.92% of suicides, said Dr Jetsada.
The most common age for suicide was 40-44 years, making up about 12.96% of the total.
Jetsada Chokdamrongsuk said the major reasons were failed communication, family relationships, household economic issues and chronic disease.