Brutal assault on Canadian raises serious questions about tourist safety in Pattaya

[webfact]

A brutal assault on Canadian national Mr Mark Robert Westendorf in Pattaya’s Soi 6 casts a shadow over the city’s tourist reputation. Mr Westendorf is in critical condition, while his wife, Mrs Nongyao Panraksa, pleads for justice.

PATTAYA, Thailand – A brutal assault on a Canadian national in Pattaya’s infamous Soi 6 has cast a dark shadow over the city’s reputation as a tourist destination.

 

On the night of July 31, Mr Mark Robert Westendorf, a 65-year-old former oil company manager, was viciously attacked by men dressed as bouncers. Now, he lies in critical condition in a private hospital’s ICU, while his wife, Mrs Nongyao Panraksa, pleads for justice.

 

This incident is not just a random act of violence but a glaring indictment of the safety conditions in Pattaya’s entertainment zones. According to Mrs Panraksa, her husband had gone out to socialize, only to end up fighting for his life after being brutally assaulted.

 

Witnesses reported that Mr Westendorf was attacked after leaning against a vehicle, with an argument escalating to violence when one of the so-called bouncers struck him, causing him to fall and sustain a severe head injury.

 

By Pattaya Mail

 

Full story: The Pattaya Mail 2024-08-06

 

-  Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[JoePai]

Does that not happen to most people in a family resort ?

[Pattaya57]

It's all been very quiet about the soi 6 security thugs kicking brits in the head whilst on the ground a few months back. Seems these thugs still control soi 6, so good reason to avoid if all it takes to be sent to ICU is lean against a car 😞

 

[ikke1959]

It is not the first time, but Pattaya will become the best family destination as we read yesterday.

[frank83628]

13 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

It's all been very quiet about the soi 6 security thugs kicking brits in the head whilst on the ground a few months back. Seems these thugs still control soi 6, so good reason to avoid if all it takes to be sent to ICU is lean against a car 😞

 

i would imagine there is a bit more to the story than just that.

[Pattaya57]

1 minute ago, frank83628 said:

i would imagine there is a bit more to the story than just that.

Ok, but the Police Chief pointed out last time it's not Security's job to fight tourists. He said their job is to protect tourists and to call the police when a situation demands it. 

 

Waiting for full story to see how security did after their new mandated training they had to do after last time they made international news

[Will B Good]

 

Bouncers generally love a good set-to.....it is in their DNA.....anyone with half a brain knows in order to avoid a good beating, you don't give them any kind excuse.

 

Having said that, what they did was criminal.

[couchpotato]

20 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

i would imagine there is a bit more to the story than just that.

Probably is, but no need to nearly kill the guy. These so called security guys are just a bunch of thugs.

[BB1955]

I m sure there is more to this ... Doubt he deserved a beating..

[MalcolmB]

48 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Seems these thugs still control soi 6,

Nightwish Group security. 
Brit owned and managed.

 

Maybe they have been watching the news of the riots back home and didn’t want to miss out?

 

I think there will be more to this incident than just leaning on a car. 
 

Thais just don’t go around bashing farangs for no reason.

Likely an assault on a female or not wanting to pay a bill followed by some mouthing off and drunkenness has caused this.

[sungod]

2 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Nightwish Group security. 
Brit owned and managed.

 

Maybe they have been watching the news of the riots back home and didn’t want to miss out?

 

I think there will be more to this incident than just leaning on a car. 
 

Thais just don’t go around bashing farangs for no reason.

Likely an assault on a female or not wanting to pay a bill followed by some mouthing off and drunkenness has caused this.

 

'Witnesses reported that Mr Westendorf was attacked after leaning against a vehicle, with an argument escalating to violence when one of the so-called bouncers struck him, causing him to fall and sustain a severe head injury.'

[NanLaew]

2 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Thais just don’t go around bashing farangs for no reason.

Likely an assault on a female or not wanting to pay a bill followed by some mouthing off and drunkenness has caused this.

 

You do not know the victim. I, and a few others on the original thread, do.

 

Your speculation and comments on that thread were ill-advised, now they are sick.

[MalcolmB]

5 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

You do not know the victim. I, and a few others on the original thread, do.

 

Your speculation and comments on that thread were ill-advised, now they are sick.

So what was the reason?

Leaning on a car?

I doubt it.

[BarraMarra]

I've said it before i will say it again someone will be killed by these so called security staff.

[spidermike007]

The shadow has long been cast and it's never gone away. It seems like there's a rather significant, disproportionate amount of crime in Pattaya, committed against foreigners. Much of it seems to be committed by desperado ladyboys. It's likely just the fact that it tends to attract a certain crowd, and people tend to prey on that certain crowd.

 

Otherwise, Thailand remains quite safe for the vast majority of visitors.

[Wildliferescue]

Well done, Patty is becoming even closer to  being a family destination. Didn't they mean the whole family should be beaten up instead?

 

[PeachCH]

Time to close down Soi 6 and rebuild😊

[brianthainess]

Mafia bouncers still running the show then...............

[Scouse123]

55 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Nightwish Group security. 
Brit owned and managed.

 

Maybe they have been watching the news of the riots back home and didn’t want to miss out?

 

I think there will be more to this incident than just leaning on a car. 
 

Thais just don’t go around bashing farangs for no reason.

Likely an assault on a female or not wanting to pay a bill followed by some mouthing off and drunkenness has caused this.

 

 

And how did you arrive at the conclusion , or was it just in your head?

 

How can you speak like that when a man is in critical condition?

 

You were not there, you know nothing.

[Scouse123]

45 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

So what was the reason?

Leaning on a car?

I doubt it.

 

 

And you know this how?

 

Get off your keyboard, you are making yourself look a total fool.

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said:

Ok, but the Police Chief pointed out last time it's not Security's job to fight tourists. He said their job is to protect tourists and to call the police when a situation demands it. 

 

Waiting for full story to see how security did after their new mandated training they had to do after last time they made international news

 

 

Well said.

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

It is not the first time, but Pattaya will become the best family destination as we read yesterday.

...and good, that there is no corruption either. Sounds like paradise.😵‍💫

[Nickcage49]

Something tells me there's more than this to the story. Bouncers don't go out of their way to hassle people. They usually only get involved when there's some kind of a dispute. I don't think leaning on a car would do it.

[Butts]

Police need to use the full force of the Law and show all "Security" what happens when they become the Judge Jury and Executioner..... Then keep prosecuting all such thugs in the same manner it cost Thailand $$$$ Millions of Baht if not dollars in Lost tourism due to bad press - So spend some money vetting all security that they are non Violent guardians that need to call the Police if needing assistance instead of beating them into the ICU ward of the local hospitals.... Its normal practice to do a security school course that they need a clean criminal record and a full understanding of what there role, job, purpose is and what will happen if the cross the line from protector to violator.

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A brutal assault on a Canadian national in Pattaya’s infamous Soi 6 has cast a dark shadow over the city’s reputation as a tourist destination.

And TAT's re-branding attempts of Pattaya being a Family Friendly place

[Iron Tongue]

1 hour ago, frank83628 said:

i would imagine there is a bit more to the story than just that.

Why?

Argument.  Sucker punch.

He fell and struck his head on the concrete, resulting in a probably fractured skull.

 

[PingRoundTheWorld]

Soi 6 security AGAIN. Why are they not in jail? they clearly belong there and not "protecting" bars. Also worse than that is the fact foreign owners employ goons who will happily beat someone up to critical condition. This isn't limited to Pattaya or Soi 6 either - a while ago while in a club in Bangkok some guy was attacking a girl at our table, security dragged him away screaming and resisting, and his friend tried to calm things down. They knocked both out, and the friend ended up in the hospital despite only trying to calm them down. Foreign ownership but the guys still eager to beat up customers.

[TheFishman1]

Pete sakes. The guy was retired 65 years old. They beat the hell out of them. He’s in an intensive care the same same and Police never patrol that area to do anything that is just a <deleted> hole.TIT

[sungod]

2 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

Pete sakes. The guy was retired 65 years old. They beat the hell out of them. He’s in an intensive care the same same and Police never patrol that area to do anything that is just a <deleted> hole.TIT

Its actually one of those streets that should have a permanent police presence.

[Galong]

Nothing changes unless there is an international loss of face. That's the only thing that is important here. Also, when the media outrage dies down, it'll be back to SSDD.