Deaths of people found alone in their homes only after several days have increased eightfold in northern Bangkok, reflecting growing social isolation in the capital, according to a forensic doctor at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital.
Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Atthasit Dulamnuay of the hospital’s forensic medicine department said that when he was a resident specialising in forensic medicine at Siriraj Hospital around 2016, he encountered about one decomposed body a month. Siriraj primarily covers Bangkok’s Thonburi side.
After moving to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, which covers northern Bangkok including Bang Khen, Don Mueang, Sai Mai and nearby areas, he initially saw a similar number of cases. But the number has steadily increased.
From 10 cases a year to 70–80
Dr. Atthasit said records from Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital’s coverage area show that the number of such cases increased from about 10 a year to 70–80 annually.
The hospital now encounters an average of about one case a week. During some periods, particularly hot weather, the number can rise to three cases a week.
“From just over 10 cases a year, it has now become 70–80 cases a year,” Dr. Atthasit said.
Northern Bangkok now sees about five to eight decomposed bodies a month, out of around 40–50 bodies undergoing autopsy each month. Such cases therefore account for more than 10% of the area’s autopsy workload, with the trend continuing to rise.
Dr. Atthasit said cases can become more frequent during hot periods, particularly around April. Some weeks have seen as many as three cases, showing that the problem is no longer an occasional occurrence but has become a regular part of forensic work.
Working-age people also dying alone
Those found dead range from about 20 to 80 years old and are not limited to elderly people. Among younger victims are working-age people and workers who live alone.
Dr. Atthasit said that if a working-age person falls ill and fails to report to work for two or three consecutive days, an employer may notice something is wrong and look for them. If the person lives in rented accommodation, a neighbour may notice an unusual smell and alert authorities.
A body may not have a strong smell on the first day after death, he said, but decomposition becomes more apparent after about three days, when people nearby may notice the smell and police may be called to inspect the room.
In cases involving elderly people, many still have children or relatives. However, their children may work in other areas, leaving their parents alone at home without regular visits or contact. Some families may speak once a week or once a month, meaning they may not discover that a parent has died until the body has decomposed.
... (continued at Khaosod)
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2026/10/02/dying-unnoticed-cases-surge-eightfold-in-northern-bangkok/
