Tourist suicide in Indonesia and Thailand: Findings from news reports

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate the pattern of suicidal behaviours among the international tourists in Indonesia and Thailand by analysing the online contents of local newspapers.

Methods: A content analysis of suicide news reports of the two countries was performed for the year 2019. Five newspapers of Indonesia and one English language online newspaper of Thailand were scrutinized to identify the reports of suicidal behaviours among tourists.

Results: A total of nine cases in Thailand and fifteen cases in Indonesia were found among international tourists. The mean age was 45.5 (SD = 12.2) years, and most of the cases were male (83.3%). The common methods of suicide in Indonesia were hanging and fall from height. Mental disorders were found as a risk factor.

Conclusions: Further psychological autopsy studies could be an important tool to explore the problem as well as to inform targeted suicide prevention strategies.