SOUTHERN UNREST
WAEDAO HARAI & MUHAMMAD AYUB PATHAN
Large numbers of people in the far South are suffering from psychological trauma due to the ongoing violence, according to a survey released by the Department of Mental Health yesterday.
The survey, conducted by its centre based in Pattani, found that 36% of people examined _ who came from across the South _ suffered repeated nightmares, 25% had insomnia nearly all night and 19% had panic attacks.
Confusion, breathing difficulties, anger and self-harm were other symptoms found among the rest of those surveyed.
Narathiwat had the highest number of people at risk of psychological problems at 44%, followed by 34% in Pattani, and 22% in Yala, according to the department's director-general Somchai Chakrabhand.
To keep mental health problems at bay, Deputy Public Health Minister Chawarat Charnveerakul said a fiscal budget of around 30 million baht had been allocated for various treatments.
Health centres were also the targets of militants as 12 offices were set on fire or bombed and 23 health officials were injured and 15 others killed this year.
Two people were killed and one injured in the region yesterday.
In Narathiwat, ice cream vendor Jehroning Hayeejehmu, 36, was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Cho Airong district. Police believed he was killed because he was a military informant.
In Yala, volunteer ranger Halim Jehma, 28, was killed and Maj Prajak Jermpee, 47, wounded by fellow ranger Srisuwan Kwandam, 20, in Muang district.
Police said work-related stress was likely to blame as Mr Srisuwan apparently snapped and then fired an assault rifle at the pair while the ranger unit was carrying out a routine patrol.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Next
