Thailand’s deadly mix of guns, drugs and domestic violence

As Thailand reels from one of its worst mass killings, those on the frontline of family violence, drug addiction and mental illness in a country awash with guns say support systems are in crisis and need a shake-up to prevent further tragedies.

Former police officer Panya Khamrab stormed a nursery in northeastern Nong Bua Lam Phu province on Thursday killing 36 people, mostly children, before murdering his wife and young son and taking his own life.

Police say the gunman was sacked from the force over drug use -- and had an addiction to yaba, a methamphetamine in pill form.

Health experts say meth use can lead to paranoia, hallucinations and violent behaviour and those withdrawing can experience psychosis.

Drug problem

Thailand is a major transit country for meth flooding in from Myanmar’s troubled Shan state via Laos, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. On the street, pills sell for as little as 20 baht (around $0.50).

Rehabilitation psychologist Shaowpicha Techo says there is an urban-rural divide in drug treatment services and harm reduction programmes.

While it can be easy for drug users to find help for addiction in Bangkok and other cities, access is much more difficult in rural areas.

The kingdom also has a shortage of mental health professionals, Shaowpicha said, while a stigma around mental illness and drug use discourages some from seeking support.

“In Thailand, most people don’t talk about psychology or mental health... if someone has a problem... (they are labelled) a crazy person,” he said, adding that some turn to drugs instead of seeking treatment.

Guns galore

Thai culture prizes avoiding confrontation and overt displays of anger, said Bangkok-based security expert Anthony Davis.

“As a consequence personal grievances and perceived loss of face are often suppressed to a point when they explode in lethal violence, typically in the context of angry males,” he told AFP.