Thai father commits suicide after son assaulted and unfair police fine

Photo via Channel 3

A Thai father commits suicide so that his family can access his funeral funds pay a unfair fine imposed by police in the central province of Suphan Buri after the man 14 year old son was physically assaulted by his friend’s father.

The story of 63-year-old Thai man Sakorn and his two sons went viral on Thai social media last week. The man committed suicide under pressure following an allegedly unfair trial by officers from Songphinong police station in Suphan Buri.

His 14-year-old son told Channel 3 that he had an argument with a friend at school and that the friend had reported the dispute to his father. The friend’s father approached the boy at school and threatened to run him over with his 10-wheeler truck before attacking him, punching him in the eye.

Additionally, the perpetrator drove his truck close to the boy, who was riding a motorcycle with his girlfriend, causing the boy to collide on the side of the road.

The boy told his father, Sakorn, about the incident and they later filed a complaint against the attacker at Songphinong Police Station. The boy said police concluded it was an altercation and both parties were fined 1,000 baht.

Sakorn consulted the boy’s older brother, Sakesan, 29, also known as James, about how to find the money to pay the fine. They couldn’t find a solution because they still couldn’t earn enough money to buy food. According to Sakorn’s sons, the man told them he would kill himself to solve the riddle.

“We are poor. How can we fight them if we don’t have money? If we have money, we will win. The only way to get money is to claim my funeral fund. »

Police blame communication problem

Sakesan tried to dissuade his father from making this tragic decision and promised to find a solution to the problem before they parted ways and went to sleep. Unfortunately, the 14-year-old boy woke up in the morning to find that his father had hanged himself.

The boy tried to save his father by asking for help from neighbors to send him to the hospital, but to no avail. Sakorn left a note for his sons.

“James, take care of your brother. I hope you will always love each other. You only planned my funeral for one night. I love you both. Take care of your little brother. »

An officer at Songphinong Police Station, Apichart Parnpare, informed Channel 3 that the fine was the result of a misunderstanding. The police intended to fine only the attacker. If the victim agreed to let the perpetrator pay the fine, the matter would be considered resolved. Otherwise, the police would refer the case to the court for further legal proceedings.

Channel 3 reported that the attacker and his son went to the police station today, July 1, for further questioning. In an interview with the media, the attacker admitted to physically assaulting the victim and cutting her off.

Police then intervened in the interview, saying they wanted both sides to reach an agreement and would inform reporters of the outcome.

The family reportedly did not have the money to buy a coffin, but a temple and local residents supported them. There have been no reports of the cost of Sakorn’s funeral.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour helpline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Helpline at 1323 (Thai). Please also reach out to friends or loved ones at this time if you are feeling lonely, stressed or depressed. Ask for help.

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