Policewoman’s battle with depression & suicide after police training

A policewoman took to social media to reveal the brutality of police training that left her with depression and thoughts of suicide. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are investigating the matter.

The policewoman, Chontaros Sukdayotin, posted pictures of herself in hospital on Facebook and revealed to her followers that she now battles depression and has recently experienced coughing up blood. She attributed these illnesses to the police training she participated in over the past year.

Chontaros stated in the post that she could not bear the illness and planned to commit suicide. She wrote the post as a farewell letter.

“Police Lance Corporal Chontaros Sukdayotin, a squad leader of the Administrative Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, bids farewell to everyone today. I have lost all my abilities. I am now incompetent. One year of police training turned me into a psychiatric patient. I am suffering from depression due to an accident during the training.”

Chontaros alleged that a fellow officer unintentionally kicked her in the head, resulting in an injury. Then, she was forced to return to training despite not making a full recovery. The police trainer punished and hurt her both physically and mentally.

Chontaros revealed a hurtful message from the police trainer in the post.

“134 (Chontaros’s ID number), don’t be foolish and hit your head on your friend’s foot again, OK?”

Chontaros said she did not have time to rest according to the medical advice due to training obligations. She started coughing up blood and her depression developed. Then, she was unable to return to training due to her mental illness.

Chontaros expressed she was proud of her fellow policewomen and expressed her gratitude to her mother at the end of the post.

Investigation launched

Chontaros’s post garnered attention from friends and Thai netizens. Friends later updated the post, stating they intervened to prevent her suicide and she is now receiving close care from medical professionals and her mother.

Aside from giving Chontaros encouragement, netizens demanded clarification from the RTP regarding the alleged brutality in training.

The Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Noppasin Punsawat, told ThaiRath that the relevant officers had already discussed Chontaros’ condition with her mother and acknowledged the issue.

Noppasin explained that officers are conducting an investigation into the training is underway and he emphasises the pursuit of justice for all involved parties.

RTP spokesperson Archayon Kraithong promised that the RTP would not ignore the problems of its subordinates.

Archayon revealed that many police officers suffer from depression, and the RTP tried to find a way to support them. The Police General Hospital also launched a Facebook page, “Depress We Care,” offering guidance to officers facing mental health issues.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help.