A quiet condominium complex in Phraekasa, Samut Prakan, turned into the scene of a tragic drama on the evening of August 14 when 29-year-old Pitiwat was found dead in his fourth-floor unit after apparently taking his own life during a video call with his girlfriend.
The girlfriend, 34-year-old Janejira, contacted officers at the Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station in a panic after the call went horribly wrong. According to police reports, the unit’s door was locked and officers were forced to force entry. Inside, they discovered Pitiwat hanging from the balcony iron grills, having used an electric cable from a plug socket.
Janejira told officers that she and a friend were on a video call with Pitiwat when everything seemed normal. He spoke cheerfully at first, giving no outward sign of distress. Then he briefly stepped out of the camera’s frame. When he reappeared, he held the plug and—despite desperate attempts by those on the call to stop him—hanged himself while still on video.
Heartbreak deepened at the scene when Pitiwat’s ex-wife, 26-year-old Treechada, arrived and added further context to the evening’s events. She said that Pitiwat had phoned her at about 10:00 p.m., pleading to reconcile despite their divorce in April of the previous year. Treechada said he sounded intoxicated; she refused his request and ended the call. She also explained that she had consistently declined to reunite because of ongoing personal issues and conflicts involving both families, and that she was busy caring for their children when he called back later—calls she did not answer.
According to Treechada, Pitiwat had previously told her he could not live without her and had attempted suicide on more than one occasion. She said she had always urged him not to harm himself and to think about the children. Police reported finding no signs of struggle or theft inside the room. Pitiwat’s body was taken to a hospital for a post-mortem examination, and later released to family members for funeral rites.
This tragic incident underscores the painful, complicated intersections between relationships, mental health, and the way digital connections can turn a private crisis into a public and instantaneous trauma. Video calls give loved ones real-time access to each other’s lives—and sometimes to the most devastating moments. For those who witnessed the event through a screen, the psychological impact can be severe and long-lasting.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or overwhelming emotional distress, please reach out for help right away. In Thailand, resources include the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline (English: 02 713 6791; Thai: 02 713 6793) and the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). You can also contact trusted friends, family members, or local emergency services. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
For bystanders—especially those who witnessed the event live—it’s important to seek support. Witnessing a suicide or a suicide attempt can cause acute stress reactions, anxiety, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Consider speaking to a professional counselor, contacting a crisis hotline, or joining a support group. If you’re unsure where to start, your local health services or community mental health centers can point you to immediate help.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Pitiwat’s death. While police said there were no signs of foul play, the case prompts broader questions about warning signs, access to support, and what family members and friends can do when someone they care about is struggling. Prior attempts at self-harm are a significant warning sign; consistent offers of help, immediate medical attention when necessary, and sustained follow-up care are all critical components of prevention.
At its core, this is a human story of pain and the ripple effects that follow. Samut Prakan residents and communities across Thailand will be reminded that moments of private crisis may not stay private, and that the best defense is a network of care—friends, family, professionals, and accessible hotlines. If you notice changes in someone’s behavior, persistent hopelessness, or talk of not wanting to live, reach out. You might save a life.
This is heartbreaking and weirdly modern — people seeing the worst moments on a screen. Why didn’t someone call emergency services sooner when he stepped out of frame?
Calling emergency services instantly is the right call, but when emotions run high you freeze; it’s not fair to expect perfect logic in a crisis.
Freeze or not, I blame the girlfriend a little for keeping the call going instead of getting help. Seems irresponsible.
I don’t want to blame anyone without knowing details — people panic. But it should spark better guidance for witnesses of online crises.
As a psychiatrist, I can say panicking witnesses are common; training and clear emergency protocols for virtual bystanders could save lives.
This story shows how tech multiplies trauma. A private act became a public nightmare in seconds.
Tech just reflects human problems, it doesn’t create them; relationships, mental health, and access to care are the core issues here.
Sure, but the interface matters — platforms should have easier, prominent ‘call emergency’ guidance when live video goes wrong.
Platforms will never take responsibility unless legally compelled; rely on community and local services instead of tech promises.
Alcohol, ex-wives, family fights — a recipe for disaster. Men need better support before it gets to this.
This reads like blaming the victim’s personal life; yes support matters but we also need structural mental health services.
I feel awful for the kids. People romanticize reconciliation but never think how it affects the children when things go wrong.
As his ex, I can say it was complicated — I was protecting our children and myself. I wish help had come earlier for him though.
Thank you for speaking up, Treechada. It’s messy when safety and love collide, and people judge without knowing the daily reality.
This incident underlines the need for integrated suicide prevention: post-attempt follow-up, family counseling, and crisis lines are necessary but underfunded.
What policies would actually help? Hotlines exist but are they reachable and culturally appropriate across Thai communities?
Good question — fund training for frontline responders, ensure hotlines are staffed 24/7 with language support, and integrate primary care screening.
Schools should teach emotional literacy and how to support peers; prevention starts long before an adult crisis.
Police forced entry and found no foul play, so case closed, right? Feels too neat for something so tragic.
People who witnessed the act on video will be traumatized; services must include trauma counseling for bystanders, not just family.
Absolutely — witnessing a suicide digitally is a new form of vicarious trauma and should be taken seriously.
This is why education on warning signs is critical. Kids and adults alike need to know when to escalate a cry for help.
Education is great, but what about real-time tools — a one-button emergency contact on calling apps for friends witnessing a crisis?
That’s exactly the sort of practical tool schools and developers should lobby for; empower bystanders to act quickly.
The ethical question: should platforms record or flag such calls? Privacy vs safety debate is messy but real.
Flagging sounds dystopian — give me privacy or give me death. No one wants Big Tech listening for suicidality.
Automated flagging could help but requires strict safeguards, consent frameworks, and local emergency integrations to avoid abuses.
We need transparent processes and oversight; otherwise, marginalized people will be harmed by well-intentioned tech.
I didn’t answer some calls that night because I was with our children. I tried to protect them and myself; it’s haunting that it ended like this.
You did what you thought best for the children. People online will unfairly attack you, but your priority matters.
Thank you, Sophon. I appreciate support, but I also wish there were systems that could have helped him before things escalated.
Witnesses should get immediate psychological first aid; silence from health systems after these events is cruel.
Psychological first aid is fine, but cultural stigmas stop people from using it. We need to change attitudes too.
Stigma is huge, but we can start with anonymous services and community outreach to normalize asking for help.
Why do men still feel like suicide is the only answer when relationships fail? Toxic pride and lack of help are lethal.
I think the article sensationalized the video aspect — it sells clicks but distracts from systemic failures in mental health care.