Highly Regarded Officer Takes Own Life Amid Struggles with Depression at Police Station in Bangkok

Bangkok —

At 3:30 PM on September 30th, 2024, Udomsuk Police Station investigators received a report of a police officer’s suicide at the Udomsuk Police Station in Prawet District, Bangkok.

Pol. Lt. Col. Yotsanan Warangki, 44, the Deputy Superintendent of Udomsuk Police Station, was found in his second-floor office. He was seated in full uniform at his desk with a fatal 9mm gunshot wound to his right temple. A Sig Sauer pistol was found next to his body, according to the police.

Initial reports revealed that a gunshot was heard from his office before fellow officers rushed in to find him. Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, the Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief, stated that Pol. Lt. Col. Yotsanan had attended a video conference earlier in the day regarding crime suppression results, where Udomsuk Station had performed well.

Pol. Lt. Col. Yotsanan was regarded as an excellent officer and had been recently recommended for a promotion, remarked Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin.

There were no signs of a struggle or external involvement in the room. Although Pol. Lt. Col. Yotsanan had no financial or family problems, family members and close friends revealed that he had been struggling with depression.

According to the police, Pol. Lt. Col. Yotsanan had expressed frustration with taking medication and had mentioned it to those close to him. Despite his professionalism and a recent two-step salary increase, depression is suspected to have been a factor in his tragic death. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause.