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Danish boxer in Phuket: Police save life from roof!
On October 18, 2025, police in Phuket prevented a Danish boxer from jumping off a building, raising questions about mental health.
Danish boxer in Phuket: Police save life from roof!
There was a dramatic police operation in the Kata area of Phuket on Saturday October 18th. A Danish boxer was on the roof of a building on Soi Green Drinking Water and threatened to jump from there. The man showed clear signs of stress and instability and was seen on video walking restlessly and threatening to jump into the depths. Despite repeated requests from police to come down, he remained erratic and appeared to be out of control of the situation, The Thaiger reports.
Finally, the boxer, who was wearing a boxer shirt with “Fairtex 17” written on it, agreed to be rescued by the officers. They were able to successfully tie him to a stretcher in order to temporarily care for him in the hospital. However, reports of his possible intoxicated state have not been officially confirmed by police. The entire scene was not only a horror story, but also reflected the increasing challenges of dealing with mental health issues.
Mental health in Thailand
The incidents in Phuket shed light on the larger societal challenges associated with mental illness. According to data from the Thai Ministry of Health, between 2020 and 2024, more than 8% of the population experienced high levels of stress. Young people are particularly at risk: almost 10% of young people under the age of 20 struggle with depressive symptoms. Additionally, over 5% of the population was at risk of suicide, highlighting the urgency of effective mental health care. According to a WHO report, loneliness is a serious health risk linked to numerous physical and mental illnesses.
The problem is also exacerbated by various recent incidents. On April 5, 2025, a tourist was brutally attacked in Phuket by a man described as “mentally unstable.” Although the perpetrator was quickly arrested, this incident raises questions about the gaps in the mental health care system and social safety nets. Bystanders who intervened and rescued the victim show the courage of citizens, but the question remains how many more such incidents are necessary to build a preventative safety net rather than just acting reactively, as stated in a report by Khao 24.
Together against isolation
The Thai government has recognized the importance of mental health and declared May as 'Mind Month' to raise awareness. The recent 24th International Conference on Mental Health in Bangkok brought together a wide range of experts to discuss the growing crisis. According to Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, mental health needs to be placed more at the forefront of the national agenda to bring about real change.
A prevention approach could help reduce the high number of violent incidents, which are often linked to substance abuse and mental health problems. In 2024, an average of 42 violent incidents per day were recorded in Thailand. A holistic strategy that promotes both mental and physical health seems essential to benefit both individuals and society in general.
It becomes clear that the challenges posed by mental illness affect both individual fates and social dynamics and require a joint approach. The fight against isolation can be successfully waged through stronger social connections and support systems - in line with the WHO message that calls for evidence-based policies to be developed to improve the quality of life for all.