‘Ailing’ monk hangs himself from a tree in Uttradit
Police were contacted at 7am this morning by a fellow monk in the compound of Wat Wang Kapee.
Police, a medical examiner and rescue workers headed to the temple to find the body of 58 year old Phra Boontham Thongnak, who had been ordained three years ago, hanging from a tree.
The medical examiner estimated that the monk had been dead for at least 8-12 hours before his body was found. There was no sign of struggle.
Phra Prathum Pasamno, a fellow monk at the temple, had been looking for Phra Boontham to go for their morning alms round together when he discovered the monk hanging from the tree.
Phra Boontham’s half-brother, Samran Juirid, said that Phra Boontham had often complained about stress caused by a chronic thyroid problem and high blood pressure.
The monk reportedly had expressed his wish to die, as he did not want to be a burden to others. The monk’s half-brother said that he had all along given the monk moral support and never thought that he would take his own life.
Following a quick examination, the family were allowed to take the body for religious rites.
If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please 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).
SOURCE: The Nation
