A CHEF committed suicide because he was scared he could not send money home to his family in Thailand, an inquest heard.

Artit Suthanan had worked at the Suwanna Siam restaurant in Bicester to help support his wife and child in his home country.

But a series of cash worries led the 37-year-old to hang himself in his room above the restaurant on December 14 last year, an inquest found.

Prasarn Noophat, manager of the Causeway restaurant, told Tuesday’s inquest at County Hall, Oxford, that staff were alerted when Mr Suthanan did not show up for his 10.30am shift.

He said: “Artit had quite a few money problems and was supporting his wife and child at home.

“He was also taking pills for anxiety that had been sent from Thailand.”

He said staff found Mr Suthanan upstairs at the restaurant.

He said: “I remember I shouted for someone to call an ambulance.”

Paramedics arrived shortly before noon and Mr Suthanan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Gardiner said: “The only conclusion here is that he took his own life.”