Grandmother urges end to bullying after Buriram teen’s death

BURIRAM — A grandmother has urged people to stop bullying others after her 15-year-old granddaughter died by suicide at home on Saturday, saying the teenager had repeatedly complained about being mocked by classmates over her appearance.

The grandmother, 56, told police that the girl had spoken about being mocked for her weight, which was more than 80 kilogrammes, and her curly hair. She said the alleged bullying had continued for two to three months and that she feared it may have affected her granddaughter’s mental health.

The teenager lived with her father and eight-year-old brother in Satuek district. Her parents had separated several years earlier.

Police received a report of the student’s death at around 11.00 on 24 October and attended the home with medical personnel and rescue workers. An initial examination found no obvious signs of physical assault.

The family did not raise objections to the initial handling of the case, and officials proceeded with the required procedures before releasing the body to relatives for religious rites.

The grandmother described her granddaughter as a diligent student and appealed to people to consider the impact their words and actions can have on others.

“People cannot choose how they are born, including their appearance and physical characteristics,” she said, urging the public to show greater empathy and stop making remarks that hurt others.

Bullying can affect a person’s emotional well-being, and concerns about a young person’s mental health should be taken seriously. The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death have not established that bullying was the cause.

People in Thailand who need mental health support can contact the Department of Mental Health hotline on 1323, which operates 24 hours a day, free of charge and confidentially.