Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

A 63-year-old Belgian national, Mr. Johan Rene B. Renier, was critically injured after falling from the seventh floor of a hotel in Pattaya in the early hours of 13 January 2026, prompting an urgent emergency response and a police investigation into the cause of the incident. The man sustained severe injuries after striking a canopy and then the ground and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The incident was reported at 02.35 on 13 January 2026 to Pattaya City Police. Pol Lt Col Ittikorn Saikratok, an investigating officer at Pattaya City Police Station, received the report of a person falling from height at a hotel located in Soi Buakhao, Pattaya City, Chonburi province. He informed his superior, Pol Col Anek Sratongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, before leading investigators and rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation to the scene.

At the front of the building, officers found the injured foreign man, aged 63, who had fallen from the seventh floor room 705. He was naked at the time of the fall and had landed on a canopy before hitting the ground below, resulting in critical injuries. Rescue workers secured the area to prevent members of the public from approaching, administered first aid at the scene and transferred him urgently to hospital.

Police checks at the scene found no signs of assault on the victim and no evidence of a struggle or ransacking inside his hotel room. Officers documented the scene with photographs for use as evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.

A witness at the scene told police that they had been sitting nearby when they heard a loud noise. The witness ran to investigate and saw the foreign man lying injured in front of the building, calling out for help. Emergency services were then contacted immediately.

Pol Lt Col Ittikorn Saikratok said that, at this stage, the cause of the fall could not be determined. Investigators have not concluded whether the incident was the result of an accident, foul play or an attempted suicide. CCTV footage from the hotel and surrounding area will be reviewed to help establish the circumstances leading up to the fall. The injured man remains under medical care, while police continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.

Key Takeaways

• A 63-year-old Belgian man was critically injured after falling from the seventh floor of a Pattaya hotel on 13 January 2026.

• Police found no signs of assault or a struggle and have not yet determined whether the fall was accidental or intentional.

• Investigators will review CCTV footage to establish the cause of the incident.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from SiamChon 2026-01-13

 

 

From the 7th floor, I'd bet hitting that canopy cushioned his fall and saved his life.

It would be interesting to see reports of balcony falls include reporting the height of the balcony railing. These tragedies may not be that mysterious.

I'm glad to hear he survived. Maybe all high rises should have safety canopies below.

I don't think there are too many hotels on Buakhao higher than 6 floors.

2 hours ago, impulse said:

From the 7th floor, I'd bet hitting that canopy cushioned his fall and saved his life.

It would be interesting to see reports of balcony falls include reporting the height of the balcony railing. These tragedies may not be that mysterious.

Yes, looks like the guy was lucky, on hitting that canopy, but maybe not so lucky falling from the 7th floor!

Define lucky, because he is most likely severely crippled and will most likely never walk again, and never live without severe pain.

In my regular hotel in Bangkok they closed the balcony door with railings to the top.They also have railings outside the window so now one can climb out and do a stupid thing.

Damn, he's naked, no wallet, not worth us coming out.

3 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

I'm glad to hear he survived. Maybe all high rises should have safety canopies below.

he was one lucky chappy, the balcony saved him from??

1 hour ago, kiwikeith said:

he was one lucky chappy, the balcony saved him from??

the balcony saved him from?? - the hordes of vulture ladyboys below.... :)

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

I don't think there are too many hotels on Buakhao higher than 6 floors.

Debua, Sutus Court, Nature View, Sawasdee Siam, R-Con Residence, LK Royal Suite are ones I saw on a streetview walk through.

31 minutes ago, treetops said:

Debua, Sutus Court, Nature View, Sawasdee Siam, R-Con Residence, LK Royal Suite are ones I saw on a streetview walk through.

And Holiday Inn Express.

Not many.

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Define lucky, because he is most likely severely crippled and will most likely never walk again, and never live without severe pain.

Not dead lucky.

Fall, push or jump?

Better off dead if no health insurance.

So will the embassy follow up the "investigation" or just do nothing as most embassies ?

10 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Fall, push or jump?

"Investigators have not concluded whether the incident was the result of an accident, foul play or an attempted suicide. CCTV footage from the hotel and surrounding area will be reviewed to help establish the circumstances leading up to the fall".

46 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

So will the embassy follow up the "investigation" or just do nothing as most embassies ?

It's not the embassy's job to investigate these incidents.

On 1/14/2026 at 2:20 AM, Scouse123 said:

Fall, push or jump?

He is alive to tell the tale

Sleepwalker?

On 1/12/2026 at 9:05 PM, impulse said:

From the 7th floor, I'd bet hitting that canopy cushioned his fall and saved his life.

It would be interesting to see reports of balcony falls include reporting the height of the balcony railing. These tragedies may not be that mysterious.

Low railing heights is a total myth. And even if it wasn't , an unusually low railing would be your clue to have more care and attention around it. Instead of running around piss drunk and being a complete donkey. A low railing is no excuse for falling over