British Man Dies After First Muay Thai Fight on Koh Samui

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A 30-year-old British man has died after participating in his first Muay Thai fight on the island of Koh Samui. The man, identified as Joseph Itai Rinomhota, collapsed after receiving a kick to the ribs during his bout at Samui International Stadium on the night of 28 March.

 

According to Pol. Col. Denduang Thongsrisuk, superintendent of Bo Phut Police Station, officers received a report of the incident at 00:05 on 29 March from Thai International Hospital, where Rinomhota was pronounced dead. Authorities, along with medical staff from Koh Samui Hospital, conducted a preliminary post-mortem examination at the scene.

 

Rinomhota’s trainer, Nanthawat, reported that the British fighter entered the ring at approximately 21:30 for his debut match. In the third round, the referee stopped the fight after Rinomhota sustained a heavy kick to his right ribcage.

 

Despite being able to leave the ring unaided and remove his gloves normally, he began experiencing muscle spasms, breathing difficulties, and dizziness while unwrapping his hand wraps. About five minutes later, he collapsed and his heart stopped beating.

 

Emergency responders performed CPR at the venue before transporting him to Thai International Hospital, where medical staff attempted resuscitation for approximately one hour before declaring him dead at 23:00.

 

Immigration records indicate that Rinomhota had travelled to Thailand nine times, entering under various visa exemptions, including a 30-day visa-free entry and a 60-day temporary stay permit.

 

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the exact cause of death and will coordinate with the British Embassy regarding further arrangements.

 

 

-- 2025-03-30

 

[hotsun]

Boring sport. Very primitive sport. Thais are very proud of it

[flyingtlger]

At least he died doing something he liked. RIP Joseph 🙏.....

[JoePai]

3 hours ago, hotsun said:

Boring sport. Very primitive sport. Thais are very proud of it

Correct - that and Cock fighting

[Harrisfan]

Unlucky. Rare. Boxing sees more deaths.

[quake]

R.I.P.

Sad news, his first fight and gone. 

 

[Gottfrid]

5 hours ago, hotsun said:

Boring sport. Very primitive sport. Thais are very proud of it

What is more primitive with Muay Thai, than other fighting sports? Also, it´s quite normal to be proud of a sport were a country do very good in it. If you think it´s boring, doesn´t make it so. It´s just a personal opinion.

[norfolkandchance]

Wait for it.

[black tabby12345]

5 hours ago, hotsun said:

Boring sport. Very primitive sport. Thais are very proud of it

 

Regarding Thai kick boxing, it didn't start as the sport in the first place.

Created as the Art of Killing for warzone combat. 

As Thailand has had the long history of territorial disputes with the neighboring countries(e.g. Burma) in old time.

 

 

[black tabby12345]

Young man's death looks tragic.

But I don't call it Misery.

At least, he died while  pursing his keen interest.

And he actually once stood on the stage he dreamed of.

This way, he could well accept own fate; dying for something he really loved, I presume.

 

Not like being wasted in the senseless war he doesn't believe in.

All deaths aren't equal...

[Jeff the Chef]

Condolences to all Family and friends. RIP to Joseph Itai Rinomhota.

 

Madam's family are into Muay Thai bigtime, nephew is local Poo Yai Baan, trainer, and promotor, loads of near relatives and friends are ex-fighters, some were good in their day, it is a big family tradition.

I willingly sponsor some local fighters, and regularly attend fights within 100kms.

As the only "Falange" in the village that participates in all the local customs, including encouraging the local Muay Thai boxers I feel I'm well respected and always invited to Family occasions and ceremonies at our 2 local temples.

 

Before the regular Thai knockers start, this costs me nothing extra than if I was a local, Madam and family wouldn't allow it, I get more yak-yak off her because I voluntarily help lost causes. 

[newbee2022]

On 3/30/2025 at 3:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A 30-year-old British man has died after participating in his first Muay Thai fight on the island of Koh Samui. The man, identified as Joseph Itai Rinomhota, collapsed after receiving a kick to the ribs during his bout at Samui International Stadium on the night of 28 March.

 

According to Pol. Col. Denduang Thongsrisuk, superintendent of Bo Phut Police Station, officers received a report of the incident at 00:05 on 29 March from Thai International Hospital, where Rinomhota was pronounced dead. Authorities, along with medical staff from Koh Samui Hospital, conducted a preliminary post-mortem examination at the scene.

 

Rinomhota’s trainer, Nanthawat, reported that the British fighter entered the ring at approximately 21:30 for his debut match. In the third round, the referee stopped the fight after Rinomhota sustained a heavy kick to his right ribcage.

 

Despite being able to leave the ring unaided and remove his gloves normally, he began experiencing muscle spasms, breathing difficulties, and dizziness while unwrapping his hand wraps. About five minutes later, he collapsed and his heart stopped beating.

 

Emergency responders performed CPR at the venue before transporting him to Thai International Hospital, where medical staff attempted resuscitation for approximately one hour before declaring him dead at 23:00.

 

Immigration records indicate that Rinomhota had travelled to Thailand nine times, entering under various visa exemptions, including a 30-day visa-free entry and a 60-day temporary stay permit.

 

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the exact cause of death and will coordinate with the British Embassy regarding further arrangements.

 

 

-- 2025-03-30

 

Bad luck, but that is the risk in that game

[Iron Tongue]

30 is really late to start as a Muay Thai boxer.  He never had a chance for his system to toughen up like a lifetime of training would have.  A kick to the right could have damaged or outright stopped his liver.  If that shuts down from trauma, he'd never recover. 

A shame.

[parallelman]

My condolences. As with all contact sports they are tough and rough. Shame that Mr Rinomhota wasn't able to gain more experience in his chosen sport. Sad.

[zepplin]

On 3/30/2025 at 4:10 AM, hotsun said:

Boring sport. Very primitive sport. Thais are very proud of it

Boring? Let’s put you in a ring and monitor your adrenaline levels shall we? 
beats your f boring lawn bowling any day!

[proton]

Never understood the popularity of it with foreigners. Only time I went to a match there were a few senior looking monks there, taking money out of white envelopes to gamble with. At our old condo a famous retired fighter lived, very punch drunk, kicks and punches to the head!

[Thingamabob]

On 3/30/2025 at 7:50 AM, JoePai said:

Correct - that and Cock fighting

..and bullfighting...indeed any 'sport' which involves the torture and killing of animals. Muay Thai, however, is but one of many forms of pugilism which go way back in history where humans fight humans, including Queensberry Rules boxing. Such contests appeal to some, not at all to others, as with many sports.

[Taboo2]

Sad.  May he rest in peace.  Looks like a Rib must have hit a vital organ.

[arick]

His Visa status has relevance to his death? Maybe they wanted a copy of his visa on a passport and his passport translated and his visa translated before he died and they didn't get a chance to get it from him.

[J Branche]

From what I've read most insurances will not pay when accident, injury, or death is a result of fighting or certain sports.

 

Sad, RIP British man.

[Kandinski]

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

..and bullfighting...indeed any 'sport' which involves the torture and killing of animals. Muay Thai, however, is but one of many forms of pugilism which go way back in history where humans fight humans, including Queensberry Rules boxing. Such contests appeal to some, not at all to others, as with many sports.

To most of the world cricket is THE most boring sport but still a sport [I guess] Wonder how many of the negative BM are actually involved in any kind of sport but keyboard jogging and recliner sit-ups.

RIP young Englishman, admire you for following your dreams 

[LittleBear57]

On 3/30/2025 at 4:10 AM, hotsun said:

Boring sport. Very primitive sport. Thais are very proud of it

It's very brutal I have been twice to arranged low level fights because my daughter does the training for it. She wants to fight too. But we have said a definite no to that. The training keeps her fit and strong and she knows how to look after herself if need be.

Went to the fights with her so she could see how brutal it really is, didn't put her off.

I will be using this as another deterant for fighting. But she will be 18 next year and off to uni.

[Woke to Sounds]

I'm seriously getting into Muay Thai at 55, and I could take some of these younger punks in their twenties, that's how intense my training has become, now with the Rocky Balboa raw egg shakes every day too.

 

You see greybeard you'd better think again punks.

[Kaopad999]

23 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

Regarding Thai kick boxing, it didn't start as the sport in the first place.

Created as the Art of Killing for warzone combat. 

As Thailand has had the long history of territorial disputes with the neighboring countries(e.g. Burma) in old time.

 

 

You're right, Muay Thai originated as the 'Art of Killing,' created for combat in warzones due to Thailand's long history of territorial disputes, like those with Burma. While it evolved into a sport, its origins are rooted in real-life survival. However, when it comes to danger in modern combat sports, boxing generally carries a higher risk of fatalities per fight. This is largely due to boxing's focus on head strikes, which leads to more cumulative brain trauma and a higher chance of severe injuries or death. In contrast, Muay Thai’s emphasis on strikes to the body and legs reduces the frequency of fatal head injuries, making it statistically safer in terms of long-term brain health and deaths during competition

[Pique Dard]

Obviously, I respect everyone’s opinion, so mine should be respected as well. And for good reason… I just can’t understand how people can turn fighting into a sport, hitting each other and risking serious - sometimes even fatal - accidents like this one.

Personally, I want to make it clear that I hate boxing and any sport that involves punching, kicking, or elbowing!

[Jim Blue]

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

..and bullfighting...indeed any 'sport' which involves the torture and killing of animals. 

So popular this cock and bull fighting....one day they might get their very own TV programme !

[NoshowJones]

17 minutes ago, Kandinski said:

To most of the world cricket is THE most boring sport but still a sport [I guess] Wonder how many of the negative BM are actually involved in any kind of sport but keyboard jogging and recliner sit-ups.

RIP young Englishman, admire you for following your dreams 

The most boring sports are cricket and rugby. I won't mention darts and snooker as they are not sports, just pub games perfectly suited to the fat bellied big tittied brigade.

[dddave]

1 hour ago, Iron Tongue said:

30 is really late to start as a Muay Thai boxer.  He never had a chance for his system to toughen up like a lifetime of training would have.  A kick to the right could have damaged or outright stopped his liver.  If that shuts down from trauma, he'd never recover. 

A shame.

Pattaya Muay hai gyms are packed with over 30's, even many over 40's trying to prove how ough they are.  

[outsider]

On 3/30/2025 at 5:10 AM, hotsun said:

Boring sport. Very primitive sport. Thais are very proud of it

 

So is boxing.

[Thingamabob]

9 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

So popular this cock and bull fighting....one day they might get their very own TV programme !

They do in some countries. Many years ago I remember extracts from cock fights being shown occasionally on Thai TV.