American man falls to his death from Chiang Mai condo

[webfact]

American man falls to his death from Chiang Mai condo

By The Nation

 

Picture: Manager

 

An American man fell to his death from the balcony of his room on the tenth floor of a condominium building in Chiang Mai's Muang district early Monday.

 

The Muang Chiang Mai police station was alerted at 1.50 am to the death of Ruben Ponce, 60, at the Astra Condominium on Chang Klan Road.

 

Pol Lt Pirapat Chaisomsri said the man has been living in the condominium for almost two years.

 

Security officers saw the American going out to shop at a nearby convenience store early Sunday night.

 

Police checked footage from security cameras and saw the man standing on his balcony before falling.

 

Police have yet to conclude whether the fall was an accident or suicide. No note was left behind.

 

The body was sent for an autopsy at Chiang Mai Hospital.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30365999

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-18

[anterian]

most balconies are too low in Thailand for people of western stature. 

[SammyT]

30 minutes ago, anterian said:

most balconies are too low in Thailand for people of western stature. 

Agreed. Most are at my thigh height

[Just1Voice]

I'm only 5'8 1/2? (174cm) and EVERY condo balcony railing I've seen here in Chiang Mai (about a dozen or so), don't even come to my waist.  One slip - you're dead.

[Nyezhov]

RIP to the dude.

[seahorse]

Most likely an accident. With a name like that, he probably would have killed himself earlier if he was the suicidal type. 

[sanemax]

3 hours ago, anterian said:

most balconies are too low in Thailand for people of western stature. 

Those are newly built condos though , so the balcony height should be higher 

[Aussieroaming]

RIP fella

[Kinnock]

22 minutes ago, seahorse said:

Most likely an accident. With a name like that, he probably would have killed himself earlier if he was the suicidal type. 

My first thought on reading this was 'what a heartless thing to say', then I re-read the report to check his name, and now I feel guilty about laughing out loud.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, sanemax said:

Those are newly built condos though , so the balcony height should be higher 

Ahhh the ole-should be opt-out ! But weren't !!

RIP fella.

[AlexRich]

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

My first thought on reading this was 'what a heartless thing to say', then I re-read the report to check his name, and now I feel guilty about laughing out loud.

Also guilty as charged! 

 

RIP Ruben Ponce ... 

[Burma Bill]

Very sad - RIP. Maybe he had visa renewal problems?

[champers]

2 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Very sad - RIP. Maybe he had visa renewal problems?

Maybe health problems.

Maybe relationship problems.

Maybe money problems.

Maybe we will never know.

[james.d]

2 hours ago, seahorse said:

Most likely an accident. With a name like that, he probably would have killed himself earlier if he was the suicidal type. 

What a pathetic comment.

[sanemax]

12 minutes ago, hyku1147 said:

Adequate height?

Those are the windows in the staircase , they arent the balconies 

[JMSIII]

2 hours ago, seahorse said:

Most likely an accident. With a name like that, he probably would have killed himself earlier if he was the suicidal type. 

<deleted>?  Seriously?  No class dude...

[foxboy]

I'm glad to see people in agreement that low balconies are indeed the causal factor for most of these condominium falls, and not the 'fabled Thai mafia' throwing people off (never did believe those stories)

[seahorse]

24 minutes ago, JMSIII said:

<deleted>?  Seriously?  No class dude...

I guess you're not a Frankie Boyle fan, then?

Edited March 18, 2019 by seahorse

[seahorse]

56 minutes ago, james.d said:

What a pathetic comment.

I apologise for not reaching the high standard that you set. 

[MJKT2014]

9 minutes ago, seahorse said:

I guess you're not a Frankie Boyle fan, then?

There's a difference. Frankie Boyle is funny.

[TPUBON]

3 hours ago, seahorse said:

Most likely an accident. With a name like that, he probably would have killed himself earlier if he was the suicidal type. 

What a jerk comment

[Postmaster]

James.d   Maybe, Yes it was, but lets hear YOUR comment or valedictory rather than criticise other posters.

[LobsterBoston1980]

The minimum height should be 4'9"(1.5 metre).

[RichardColeman]

Most balconies maybe not suited to ex-pat pear shape

[atyclb]

9 hours ago, seahorse said:

Most likely an accident. With a name like that, he probably would have killed himself earlier if he was the suicidal type. 

what is wrong with his name?

[YoungBrit]

RIP fella.

[sammieuk1]

It matters not how high the guard rails are its always falling season here ????RIP

[baansgr]

17 hours ago, seahorse said:

Most likely an accident. With a name like that, he probably would have killed himself earlier if he was the suicidal type. 

Probably pronounced in French not the same as you are thinking

[Prairieboy]

20 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

I'm only 5'8 1/2? (174cm) and EVERY condo balcony railing I've seen here in Chiang Mai (about a dozen or so), don't even come to my waist.  One slip - you're dead.

"...decks attached to multi-family buildings, such as apartment buildings or businesses, are regulated under the International Building Code (IBC). The IBC requires 42" high guardrails... "  Oh, I forgot, rules don't apply here, TIT.

[seahorse]

5 hours ago, baansgr said:

Probably pronounced in French not the same as you are thinking

I think it's Spanish, actually.