A woman jumped to her death from an elevated platform at a BTS station yesterday and a former village head in Phrae committed suicide because his business was failing.

Donla Suila, 40, from Udon Thani, was found lying in a pool of blood on the road below Ratchadamri BTS station about 11am yesterday.

She was rushed to the nearby Police Hospital where she died shortly afterwards.

When police checked the station's surveillance cameras they found Donla had got off the train at Ratchadamri station.

The footage showed her climbing over the platform's steel railings and jumping to the ground.

Sathit U-ngarnsin, her husband, said his wife was a food vendor in Sathon Soi 15.

She had shown signs of having mental problems a few days ago, shaking with fright and raving about an evil spirit trying to possess and kill her.

Mr Sathit said he had told her she needed to see a doctor, but she sneaked out of the house yesterday morning.

In Phrae, Pradit Pompa, 59, a former village head in Sung Men district, was found dead near a funeral pyre yesterday.

His head was partially blown off. A pistol was discovered near his body and sent for forensic tests.

Police assumed it was a suicide. His neighbours said Mr Pradit was a timber merchant and deeply in debt.

He had incurred heavy losses after being betrayed by his business partners, they said. http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/17Jun2008_news06.php

Basically the severest form of self criticism I can think of.

""Mr Pradit was a timber merchant and deeply in debt.""

It's something I find hard to understand---- I was always brought up with the view that if you owe a lot of money and you don't have anything----you don't have any problems---they do

his head was partially blown off, maybe he didnt want to lose face !!!!!!!

Or only a little!

He probably felt a loser.

partially blown off.!

I mean he could'nt even get that right!

Its a Thai thing.....Trying to "save face" right up to the end!

its the noise and polution that gets them and the high oil prices,but then many are out of their heads with worry over no cash income and no way to earn a decent living.

Stress is the main cause as is loss of face ( in some cases literally), seems to emenate in most asian countries, although does sometimes affect high pressure city types as well.
Sad to see, no-one can do anything, if your mind is bent on ending ones life you do. Pity the families who have to pick up the pieces though.