Belgian Tourist Dies After Brutal Attack in Hua Hin

[webfact]

 

Jan Valkenborg, a 64-year-old Belgian from Millen, has tragically died after sustaining severe injuries from an assault in Hua Hin, Thailand, in early April.

 

Valkenborg suffered a fractured skull with ten broken bones and remained in a coma until he passed away on Monday. His close friend, Danny Lemmens, was by his side during his final hours, reported Nieuwsblad.

 

Valkenborg was attacked while on holiday with his Thai girlfriend in the resort town of Hua Hin. On the night of the incident, he was smoking a cigarette on the pavement when a man struck him from behind, continuing to beat him even after he fell.

 

Later, video footage revealed the attacker to be a German national with a criminal record and ties to a local fight club. Astonishingly, the same assailant had also attacked a British man that night.

 

Lemmens, who met Valkenborg eight years ago through their mutual involvement with the Vlaams Belang political party, remembered him as a helpful individual with a wide circle of friends. “Jan was a man with a heart of gold; he didn’t deserve this,” Lemmens lamented.

 

After the attack, Valkenborg was initially treated at a hospital in Hua Hin. He was later transferred to Bangkok for further operations before being repatriated to Gasthuisberg hospital in Leuven, Belgium.

 

Despite the medical interventions, including a significant operation on his birthday, his condition worsened. His deteriorating state led to epileptic seizures, and doctors concluded he would never fully recover.

 

“The last 48 hours, I stayed with him non-stop; I couldn’t let him die alone,” Lemmens said tearfully.

 

The private funeral for Jan will take place on 22 June. Friends and family will have an opportunity to pay their respects on 21 June at Funerarium Theunissen in Zichen-Zussen-Bolder.

 

Picture: © RR

 

-- 2024-06-21

 

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[MeePeeMai]

So what happened to his "attacker"?

 

Let's hope he rots in a Thai prison for the rest of his days!

[save the frogs]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

Astonishingly, the same assailant had also attacked a British man that night.

so that means totally unprovoked and no motive?

[worgeordie]

They missed maybe the most important part of the story , was the attacker

apprehended , if so is he been charged with murder  RIP the Mr Valkenborg 

 

regards Worgeordie

 

 

[ChaiyaTH]

So who is the guy and he is now in jail or in germany.

[Presnock]

Yeah the original attack occurred in April...as his condition deteriorated, have the polic arrested the perp and is he still here or did they let him leave the country?

[steven100]

Very strange story that lacks detail as others have said.  

Was the attack random ?

Has the attacker been caught ?

Is he in Jail  ?

Was the attacker on cannabis or something ?

 

no details at all .....  

 

[stoner]

17 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Was the attacker on cannabis or something ?

 

no cannabis steven. generally speaking people using cannabis don't commit violent attacks. now before you go google a few events lets not get into that when you know very well alcohol dwarfs cannabis. and meth takes the cake. 

[save the frogs]

PubMed research would disagree with you, Frank.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4988999/

Conclusions

It is concluded that alcohol facilitates feelings of aggression whereas cannabis diminishes aggressive feelings in heavy alcohol and regular cannabis users, respectively.

[Celsius]

It is a trash town a lot worse than Pattaya.

 

Even the beach is dirtier.

 

Another world class family resort, 

[steven100]

10 minutes ago, Celsius said:

It is a trash town a lot worse than Pattaya.

 

Even the beach is dirtier.

 

Another world class family resort, 

do security guards there also kick farang in the head when they are on the ground ?

[bob smith]

ruff as chuff in HH these days.

 

always remain vigilant and be aware of your surroundings. 

 

bob.

[rocketboy2]

18 minutes ago, Celsius said:

It is a trash town a lot worse than Pattaya.

 

Even the beach is dirtier.

 

Another world class family resort, 

 

Nah, not a trash town,

But sure is a one horse town. 

 

R.I.P.  Hope they get the guy, no matter how long it takes.

 

[smedly]

if the german thug is not in jail right now there should be an investigation to find out why, no doubt bribes were offered to make this go away, did it go away?

Edited June 21 by smedly

[impulse]

That's just sad all around.  Condolences to his family and the friends that stayed by his side. 

 

And I hope the attacker gets the full measure of retribution.   Legal, or otherwise.  At the very least, so he isn't walking around free, and can't do it to anyone else.

 

Anyone in the know, please post back with any information about the status of the case.

 

[bob smith]

5 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

And I hope the attacker gets the full measure of retribution.

He wont.

 

Brown envelopes will have already exchanged hands.

 

bob.

[bob smith]

When are we all going admit that Thailand can be a dangerous place to live?

 

Personally I have never had any physical trouble myself, perhaps because I am quite a big fella and look a bit intimidating, but I have personally witnessed many violent altercations between locals and expats alike over the years.

 

The islands in Thailand are particularly dangerous as they are mostly run by influential mafia families.

 

Always remember that Thailand isn't some kind of Asian utopia. It is just like anywhere else in the world, and you must always be on your guard in case the worst should happen.

 

bob.

Edited June 21 by bob smith

[steven100]

when I think of Belgian .....   I think of chocolates 

 

 

RIP. Belgian.

[webfact]

Belgian man dies from injuries sustained in brutal and unprovoked attack in Hua Hin
By Online Reporter

 

 

A Belgian man who was gravely injured in a brutal attack in Hua Hin in April has died from his injuries, it has been announced.

 

Hua Hin Today first reported on the incident, which saw then 63-year-old Jan Valkenborg from Riemst, Limburg province, attacked in an unprovoked assault.

 

Valkenborg was in Hua Hin when he was assaulted by a German national. The attacker, who had a criminal record and was a member of a fight club, also assaulted another person that same evening.

 

Hua Hin Today understands that Hua Hin Police did launch an initial investigation into the incident. However, the whereabouts and legal status of the attacker is not known.

 

Full story: HUA HIN TODAY 2024-06-21

 

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[bob smith]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

Hua Hin Today understands that Hua Hin Police did launch an initial investigation into the incident. However, the whereabouts and legal status of the attacker is not known.

nice to see the RTP doing their jobs properly for a change! 🙄

 

bob.

Edited June 21 by bob smith

[webfact]

Belgian tourist dies after horrific attack by German in Hua Hin
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of HLN

 

A 64 year old Belgian tourist tragically succumbed to severe injuries following a brutal assault in Hua Hin in early April. The attack left him with a fractured skull and 10 broken bones, leading to a coma from which he never awoke.

 

Jan Valkenborg was holidaying with his Thai girlfriend in the resort town when he was ambushed. He was smoking a cigarette on the pavement when a man struck him from behind, continuing the vicious assault even after he fell. The assailant, later identified as a German national with a criminal record and ties to a local fight club, also attacked a British man the same night.

 

Danny Lemmens, Valkenborg’s close friend, remained by his side until he passed away on Monday, June 17. Lemmens, who travelled to Thailand to assist with Valkenborg’s care, recounted the harrowing ordeal.

“It was a long day, waiting for 13 hours during his surgery, and the following days were sleepless ones as I stayed in his hotel room, surrounded by his belongings while he fought for his life in the hospital.”

Valkenborg underwent a gruelling 13-hour surgery to address multiple skull fractures. Although the operation was successful, doctors estimated a recovery period of three to eight months, with an uncertain prognosis.

 

Despite medical interventions, including a significant operation on his birthday, his condition worsened, leading to epileptic seizures. Doctors eventually concluded he would never fully recover.

 

The German attacker roamed the area for hours after the assault before being apprehended by police. Lemmens, who met Valkenborg through their mutual involvement with the Vlaams Belang political party, remembered him as a helpful individual with a wide circle of friends.

 

“Jan was a man with a heart of gold. He didn’t deserve this.”

 

Valkenborg was initially treated at a hospital in Hua Hin before being transferred to Bangkok for further operations and eventually repatriated to Gasthuisberg Hospital in Leuven, Belgium.

 

His private funeral will be held tomorrow, June 22, with an opportunity for friends and family to pay their respects today at Funerarium Theunissen in Zichen-Zussen-Bolder, reported Hua Hin Today and ASEAN NOW.

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-06-21

 

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[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, stoner said:

no cannabis steven. generally speaking people using cannabis don't commit violent attacks. now before you go google a few events lets not get into that when you know very well alcohol dwarfs cannabis. and meth takes the cake. 

 

well said stoner! you'll never get this troll to understand. he thinks alcohol is without fault and that tokers are despicable criminals

[Mywayboy]

3 hours ago, stoner said:

 

no cannabis steven. generally speaking people using cannabis don't commit violent attacks. now before you go google a few events lets not get into that when you know very well alcohol dwarfs cannabis. and meth takes the cake. 

When on Cannabis you don't start fights you want too start a Band.

RIP poor victim.

[gravity101]

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

well said stoner! you'll never get this troll to understand. he thinks alcohol is without fault and that tokers are despicable criminals

Not sure you understand what trolling is lol. He was obviously trolling, no one really thinks weed makes you aggressive, it doesn't need to be countered. Of course being stoned he may not have seen the obvious. 😆

[wavodavo]

3 hours ago, bob smith said:

ruff as chuff in HH these days.

 

always remain vigilant and be aware of your surroundings. 

 

bob.

well done bob,thats the most sensible thing you have ever said !!

[Excogitator]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Later, video footage revealed the attacker to be a German national with a criminal record and ties to a local fight club. Astonishingly, the same assailant had also attacked a British man that night.

Wtf. No excuses for that guy. He should be put down like a rabid dog.

[QuantumQuandry]

3 hours ago, Celsius said:

It is a trash town a lot worse than Pattaya.

 

Even the beach is dirtier.

 

Another world class family resort, 

 

You must be fun at parties.

[Noah K]

Jealous boyfriend? No suspects or motive?

[ryandb]

2 hours ago, bob smith said:

When are we all going admit that Thailand can be a dangerous place to live?

 

Personally I have never had any physical trouble myself, perhaps because I am quite a big fella and look a bit intimidating, but I have personally witnessed many violent altercations between locals and expats alike over the years.

 

The islands in Thailand are particularly dangerous as they are mostly run by influential mafia families.

 

Always remember that Thailand isn't some kind of Asian utopia. It is just like anywhere else in the world, and you must always be on your guard in case the worst should happen.

 

bob.

 

 

Isolated incidents, there's thousands of us... They don't report on Bob walked safely down the street all week this week.  I've lived on the islands 4 years not been in 1 fight or even a heated situation and actually never witnessed one outside of the sanctioned MT events.

 

I've lived in many countries and Thailand is probably the safest I've ever felt, including Britain where I'm from.

[ryandb]

1 minute ago, Noah K said:

Jealous boyfriend? No suspects or motive?

Suspect was a German guy who also attacked a Brit earlier the same evening, would appear to be a random nutcase but that's just from the limited info in the article