Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Ryan O’Connor, a dedicated father-of-three from Rossendale, Lancashire, has died in Thailand while pursuing his dream of training in Muay Thai. His tragic passing came just days before his wife, Joanne, welcomed their third child, a daughter named Maya Jasmine, in the UK.

 

Ryan, aged 30, embarked on his trip on 29 May, determined to fulfil a lifelong ambition before expanding his family. Sadly, his journey was cut short when he fell gravely ill at a hotel in Thailand. Despite being placed on life support, he succumbed to his illness on 28 June, not long before his 31st birthday.

 

Joanne, a mathematics teacher, faced the bittersweet occasion of her daughter's birth on Monday, surrounded by loved ones yet acutely aware of her husband's absence. Ryan's brother, Liam, expressed, “Ryan wanted to achieve this dream before having two children. It was something he was passionate about.”

 

During his stay in Thailand, Ryan developed severe symptoms, including violent diarrhoea, hinting at a possible infection. On 26 June, he made a final video call to his parents, detailing his condition. Alarmed, his father contacted the hotel, urging them to seek medical assistance.

 

Paramedics found Ryan collapsed and in cardiac arrest. After reviving him, they placed him on life support. Tragically, his condition deteriorated, leading to septic shock and his eventual passing.

 

Ryan was remembered fondly by Liam, who described him as “loud, funny, and my best friend.” In the aftermath, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Joanne and her children, including toddler Riley, cope with this life-altering loss.

 

The fundraiser aims to cover essential costs like repatriating Ryan’s remains, medical expenses, and providing long-term support for the grieving family. Liam implored the public, “Ryan was a fantastic dad and husband. His warmth and humour touched many lives. We urge you to support Joanne and the children during this difficult period.”

 

Donations to support the O'Connor family can be made through their GoFundMe page, helping them navigate the challenges ahead.

 

To assist, please visit their campaign online and contribute to bringing some relief in their darkest times.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-08

 

 

Sad story... but there's always a Go Fund Me or there's always a book.

This could well be a scam. Note the lack of specific information such as the name of the city he was staying in. Also the classic setting up of a Go Fund Me by a 'concerned friend' of the family.

 

I also will not be contributing.

What was his occupation?

 

Health/Life/Travel insurance?

 

1 minute ago, Sir Dude said:

Sad story... but there's always a Go Fund Me or there's always a book.

It didn't take long complaining about GoFundMe

So it was more important for him to travel half way round the world for his own pursuits rather than supporting his wife when she was close to giving birth.

 

Seems somewhat selfish to me , just my opinion.

 

 

15 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

During his stay in Thailand, Ryan developed severe symptoms, including violent diarrhoea, hinting at a possible infection.

Was it from food or from the muay thai training would be something worthwhile to include

8 minutes ago, still kicking said:

It didn't take long complaining about GoFundMe

Supercillious response... subjective topic, like so many others.

 

I don't believe a dedicated father and husband  would be in Thailand pursuing "muay thai" while his wife is 9 months pregnant. I am not buying this tale.

5 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

Supercillious response... subjective topic, like so many others.

I saved the life of a young child by donating 

2 minutes ago, still kicking said:

I saved the life of a young child by donating 

Zzzzzzzzz... any more virtue signalling you want to do?

28 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

During his stay in Thailand, Ryan developed severe symptoms, including violent diarrhoea, hinting at a possible infection. On 26 June, he made a final video call to his parents, detailing his condition. Alarmed, his father contacted the hotel, urging them to seek medical assistance.

 

Paramedics found Ryan collapsed and in cardiac arrest. After reviving him, they placed him on life support. Tragically, his condition deteriorated, leading to septic shock and his eventual passing.

 

I'm thinking there is more to this story than this.  Healthy 30 year olds don't generally die of sepsis unless their immune system is already compromised.  Strange story.  Somehow the blame will fall on Thailand, but given the lack of detail in the article, this could just as well have happened in the UK after eating e.coli infected lettuce.  Which brings me back to wondering what isn't being discussed in the article.  As I said, healthy 30 year olds don't generally die of sepsis unless their immune system is already compromised. 

Well, tragic.  RIP.  I hope the best for his wife and kids.  That truly sucks.

30 minutes ago, terryq said:

So it was more important for him to travel half way round the world for his own pursuits rather than supporting his wife when she was close to giving birth.

That's true too.  If my wife was close to giving birth, I would NOT be on a vacation in Thailand sans wife and kids.  I'd be with my wife during the birth of my new child.  There's just something very strange and odd about this entire story. Especially considering that mum, who is a mathematics teacher, is looking to have GoFundMe provide here with "long-term support."  GoFundMe and sites like this are for basically for short-term emergencies.  I'm trying to add this up but I can't.  🤔

34 minutes ago, terryq said:

So it was more important for him to travel half way round the world for his own pursuits rather than supporting his wife when she was close to giving birth.

 

Seems somewhat selfish to me , just my opinion.

 

 

 

Exactly. Why are you in thailand when your wife is about to birth your child. 

I find it difficult to believe he could not find a muay Thai gym near his home. There are a few in Lancashire. Yes, Thailand is the home of Muay Thai but there are great practitioners all over the world so why leave his wife to give birth alone?

53 minutes ago, terryq said:

So it was more important for him to travel half way round the world for his own pursuits rather than supporting his wife when she was close to giving birth.

 

Seems somewhat selfish to me , just my opinion.

 

 

Not just your opinion, that's the opinion of EVERYONE who's ever been a father where the kid recognizes your face.

46 minutes ago, still kicking said:

I saved the life of a young child by donating 

Not THIS one I hope. Unless you knew them personally, this reeks of scam.

1 minute ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Not THIS one I hope. Unless you knew them personally, this reeks of scam.

No, I am talking about an Australian child who had to have Surgery in the US, which was not available in OZ

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

This could well be a scam. Note the lack of specific information such as the name of the city he was staying in. Also the classic setting up of a Go Fund Me by a 'concerned friend' of the family.

 

I also will not be contributing.

Thanks Briggsy I will not believe a word of these breaky heart  stories until I see a quote from a Thai

official  . Wonder how the James Sangwine case ended ?

1 hour ago, yang123 said:

What was his occupation?

 

Health/Life/Travel insurance?

 

Both irrelevant.

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Both irrelevant.

Correct  

I had to get all the way to the 6th paragraph this time.

1 hour ago, terryq said:

So it was more important for him to travel half way round the world for his own pursuits rather than supporting his wife when she was close to giving birth.

 

Seems somewhat selfish to me , just my opinion.

 

 

You beat me to it.

9 hours ago, connda said:

There's just something very strange and odd about this entire story. Especially considering that mum, who is a mathematics teacher, is looking to have GoFundMe provide here with "long-term support."  GoFundMe and sites like this are for basically for short-term emergencies.  I'm trying to add this up but I can't.  🤔

 

When my son was born, my wife and I set-up life insurance for both of us in case we died early. I hope, but suspect not, that this gent had life insurance to care for his family on his demise.

 

11 hours ago, Briggsy said:

This could well be a scam. Note the lack of specific information such as the name of the city he was staying in. Also the classic setting up of a Go Fund Me by a 'concerned friend' of the family.

 

I also will not be contributing.

Seems like the story is legit as it appeared in a major UK News Paper... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14870001/father-dies-pursuing-dream-Thai-boxing.html

 

 

11 hours ago, still kicking said:

I saved the life of a young child by donating 

If the man could afford to travel to and stay in Thailand leaving a wife and 2 children with another so near to giving birth. They clearly have enough money to support the 3rd child. Why do they need the gofundme? You did not save anyone.. 

This happened weeks ago, perhaps he was only away for a few weeks and due back well before the birth.

 

I wouldn't assume anything really. Also they have rasied nearly 50k in pounds which will likely help a little now she's on her own and without his salary.

Kid looks 100% white to me.

Must have been from a previous relationship.

Sad story.

But his place was beside his pregnant wife. and child,

Not away in Thailand.

R.I.P.

So can't afford £20 travel insurance..hhmmm..leaves 2 kids and an 8 month pregnant wife at home while he's adding to his alpha male persona...can't afford insurance, begs the question, was he here on "other business"...maybe getting paid to smuggle something like the hundreds of other Brits that have been caught recently..