Broke Brit commits suicide in Phuket

Published: 2 Nov 2012 at 16.26
Online news:

An elderly Englishman who said he had run out of money is reported to have committed suicide by jumping from a radio transmission tower after being taken to a tourist police station in Phuket province.

The 64-year-old plunged from the 12 metre high tower to the ground. His body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post morten examination.

Reports said the man had dined at a local restaurant, but had no money to pay the bill.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Your comments

blackbauer
Post : 2
Send message

Discussion 14 : 04 Nov 2012 at 18.0914
Post this to my Facebook
Very sad story but SURELY this man must've realised that the writing was on the wall for him financially? The thing is, I know several expats whose finances are in a similarly precarious condition but who seem unable or unwilling to downgrade their lifestyles to a level more commensurate with their income.

They persist in paying high rents, lashing it up "large" in the bars and knocking about with mercenary hookers or "rent-a-girlfriends" who bleed them dry.

For far too many older foreign men in Thailand, there's an almost romantic side to the idea of throwing caution to the wind while living "the dream" of booze-fueled nights in the c
Like dislike 2 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
RonBargie
Post : 66
Send message

Discussion 13 : 03 Nov 2012 at 09.1513
Post this to my Facebook
Regardless of the circumstances that preceeded this man's demise, it is sad to see the total lack of compassion from many on this comments page.
Like dislike 8 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
tomb
Post : 381
Send message

Discussion 12 : 03 Nov 2012 at 08.4212
Post this to my Facebook
It is not an embassy's job to help out their citizens financially. He was obviously in dire financial straits but we don't know why.

Job lost? Pension blown, savings wasted? Who knows. Apart from living on benefits there is no way to get your act together at that age.

I know it's cruel, but I'd say good riddance for society. We have enough destitute and scrounges already, and too many ended up there by their wn foolishness. Not the last case of being washed out in Thailand.

Go ahead and down arrow me, but I for one won't mourn these cases.
Like dislike 13 people liked / 26 people disliked this comment
OzGeoff
Post : 10
Send message

Discussion 11 : 03 Nov 2012 at 08.1011
Post this to my Facebook
Boons: the West has been in financial "meltdown" for a few years now (thanks in no small way to some Wall St "crooks").
Has the rate of farang suicides (due to monetary problems), in Thailand increased?
Like dislike 5 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
NorDevil
Post : 121
Send message

Discussion 10 : 03 Nov 2012 at 04.5210
Post this to my Facebook
Hmmmmm . . . . he was in the policestation because the police wanted to sober him up and less than 15 minutes later he is dead ? and like so many other foreign deaths here in Thailand the answer we are given is always suicide . . . . . . . something stinks.
Like dislike 15 people liked / 13 people disliked this comment
bonzo
Post : 919
Send message

Discussion 9 : 03 Nov 2012 at 00.179
Post this to my Facebook
You read it here first: the financial collapse of the West will be measurable by direct correlation to the number of 64-year-olds suiciding in Phuket.
Like dislike 4 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
victor Careford

Discussion 8 : 03 Nov 2012 at 00.028
Very sad. What a sorry time we live in when a man ends up alone with no friends to turn to and this is his only way out. You should all be saying there but for the grace of God.....
from iPhone application.
Like dislike 11 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
drsmith
Post : 1,573
Send message

Discussion 7 : 02 Nov 2012 at 22.517
Post this to my Facebook
Some people his age probably have NO where or home to go back to. Thailand becomes the end of the road.
Like dislike 34 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
Rab.Madar
Post : 230
Send message

Discussion 6 : 02 Nov 2012 at 19.346
Post this to my Facebook
Suicide victims are not normally brought to reason because of one shortcoming, it is usually accumulated problems, which causes mental instability. The British government take care of their old people financially, even although it is small. I can only suggest he had problems at both sides of the globe. He found a way out, which is very distressing for all. May he rest in peace.
Like dislike 46 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
bkk-farang
Post : 2,293
Send message

Discussion 5 : 02 Nov 2012 at 19.345
Post this to my Facebook
As far as I know the embassy would pay for him – after he can prove that all his own attempts failed.
Like dislike 8 people liked / 23 people disliked this comment