This seems to happen more than you'd expect.

The railings on the balconies in Thailand are extremely low not up to Western standards by no means I’m not sure why they don’t just add another bar to the railings to make it like another foot and a half to 2 feet taller and every time I set a hotel I’m just amazed how short the railings are they are very low here and I guess she’s pretty top heavy so TIT

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I still struggle to comprehend how someone falls off a balcony, drunk or sober.... do drunk people decide to sit on the railings ??? Seems to happen a lot in tourist destinations

Anyone who falls over by themself is more than likely self harming. Maybe she did sit on the rail to smoke a cigarette but it is still a case of attempted suicide. If people really don't want to die, they don't sit on balcony rails.

2 hours ago, Homburg said:

Whilst there is much speculation around the possible use of alcohol and unlicenced pharmaceuticals, we do not yet know that this was the result of irresponsible behaviour?

Nevertheless Soi 6 can be a lot of fun!

I've done almost every drug in the book and none gave me the sense that I could fly. The only drug that reduced my sense of being afraid of heights is alcohol. Funny how alcohol is the worst drug of them all and yet it is the most socially and politically acceptable.

12 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

The railings on the balconies in Thailand are extremely low not up to Western standards by no means I’m not sure why they don’t just add another bar to the railings to make it like another foot and a half to 2 feet taller and every time I set a hotel I’m just amazed how short the railings are they are very low here and I guess she’s pretty top heavy so TIT

I tend to agree with your comments but actually most Thai hotels comply with balcony height regulations that state 1.9 ---2.1 meters in height . 1.5 minimum would be my suggestion .

12 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

The railings on the balconies in Thailand are extremely low not up to Western standards by no means I’m not sure why they don’t just add another bar to the railings to make it like another foot and a half to 2 feet taller and every time I set a hotel I’m just amazed how short the railings are they are very low here and I guess she’s pretty top heavy so TIT

This is an urban myth. The railings are normal height. Somebody found one abnormally low rail on Koh phi phi and that was not even a hotel. It was a cabin type place. One story high.

And even if the freaking rail is lower by a foot or something, THAT IS YOUR CUE TO BE MORE CAREFUL. People would notice. The logic doesn't even work. People walk out to the balcony and see or feel the height of the rail. They aren't just going to pretend that it is higher than it is and therefore fall over.

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

... and sadly, if the insurance company can prove that alcohol was in play, they decide that voids her cover.

I still struggle to comprehend how someone falls off a balcony, drunk or sober.... do drunk people decide to sit on the railings ??? Seems to happen a lot in tourist destinations.

Sounds like a long road to recovery - I hope she isn't left to hang out and dry by her insurance company.

Depends on the policy wording. She was not operating a vehicle.

poor woman, I hope she gets well soon.

But what I really not understand that they do not have a 100%insurance or not have any at all. By all means, every time I read an article about an accident and there is a Brit involved I think , here we go again: FUNDING. they let their brain at home?

The doctors at the hospital can get in touch with the insurance company of this lady. Send copies of x-rays and needed documents. That should do the trick.

2 hours ago, superal said:

So is it the case that any amount of alcohol consumed invalidates your insurance . There must be some form of alcohol allowance ? Just wondering if a blood / drug test had been made when she arrived at the hospital .

Blood test are standard procedure when you are in emergency room… to assess injuries, monitor for shock or blood loss.. Insurances company usually ensure this method is followed in hospitals; the police even need the analysis for reports in case of criminal prosecution.

7 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Poor thing, horrible time ahead

My thoughts entirely- so young and now facing a very uncertain future

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

... and sadly, if the insurance company can prove that alcohol was in play, they decide that voids her cover.

I still struggle to comprehend how someone falls off a balcony, drunk or sober.... do drunk people decide to sit on the railings ??? Seems to happen a lot in tourist destinations.

Sounds like a long road to recovery - I hope she isn't left to hang out and dry by her insurance company.

A lot of hotels and condos have balcony rails that are much too low. My old condo's rail came up to my chest and I'm six feet, there was zero chance of me accidentally falling from my balcony even when psised, which I was most of the time in those days.

3 hours ago, Tarteso said:

The insurance company will wash its hands of the matter if she consumed alcohol..

Also if a suicide attempt insurance usually void

Lucky she is British. Imagine she was some other nationality and all the vile comments posted.

No matter what, I hope she recovers. I also wonder how the security guy is, he's also got to live with what he heard then saw.

17 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Also if a suicide attempt insurance usually void

There are exceptions; for example, if it can be proven that the suicide resulted from a mental disorder that impaired the individual's will, the payout may be granted. In other cases, the insurer may even reimburse payments made if the suicide occurs outside the grace period, which is usually one or two years. In all these cases, the beneficiary will need adequate legal coverage.. A good Lawyer.

4 hours ago, Tyke said:

Its what happens if you lean over a balcony whilst being top heavy.

Its what happens if you lean over a balcony whilst being top heavy ? And in that photo Her Boobs ARE !!

There is no doubt something significant going on with foreigners falling from balconeys in Pattaya. Its been a long established meme by now. It started mainly by foreigner man of older age with possible Thai partner involvement, to "purposeful self unaliving", to just common drunken inebriation, plus the large amount of available open balconies. I say some being under standard limits mostly in older buildings. Add the media and news high publicity rate that anytime it happens to foreigner tourist or expat its more than likely to be reported in the news which feeds into the narrative. These are all contributing factors either in combination of each other or specially one of them.

Drunken inebriation is the main factor overall without a doubt. Along with the serious injuries in a foreign country I feel her insurance or lack of insurance or coverage will be very difficult complication to an already grievous situation. The trauma she, the security guard(s), first responders, hospital medical doctors, hotel staff, other tourists and onlookers will be experiencing makes this another trouble turn of events to a once supposed joyful time to an tragic life altering event. This has recently happened where Im staying in another country from a man who only fell from 2nd floor. Im always try to be extra careful and mindful to take more precautions so that the probability is as minimal as possible.

8 hours ago, TedG said:

Hotels should install breathalyzer locks to prevent drunks from accessing the balcony.

Good idea but I'm hoping this young woman was not drunk. As we all know the Insurance companies could not give a sh.t about her physical issue. In fact they hope she dies so that there is no long term recovery in case the company must pay. They just want evidence that allows them to make NO medical payments and that evidence is basically, "was she sober or intoxicated"?

3 hours ago, Keeenok Powell said:

Security guard reported hearing a sound like a “large object falling”.

Bet that hurts her more than the fall.

3 hours ago, Keeenok Powell said:

Security guard reported hearing a sound like a “large object falling”.

Bet that hurts her more than the fall.

3 hours ago, Keeenok Powell said:

Security guard reported hearing a sound like a “large object falling”.

Bet that hurts her more than the fall.

Your a heartless sicko Mr Keeenok. Karma I'll make the same comment when you fall off your condo.

Sadly, the chances of her "full" recovery are extremely rare where there are multiple spinal fractures....especially if the spinal cord is cut (as opposed to compressed or partially damaged).

Remember "Superman" Christopher Reeve?

The article only mentions paralysis of the arms, but I would suspect limbs as well.

ANY treatment would require highly specialised procedures by a highly qualified Spinal surgeon .

Not sure of the availability or cost of this here in Thailand, so she would be far better off back in the UK.......ASAP!

By the look of her she could have saved money and got out of her head in Mablethorpe just down the road from her home town , which would have been more suited to her style

Poor girl. I hope she manages to regain the use of her arms. It's really tragic

Any danger to the watermelons?!

Struth !

5 hours ago, Dave0206 said:

Not sure its same balcony but certainly seems high enough if it is.

Mind you if you happen to partake in certain drugs can get that superman feeling i believe i can fly till a few seconds later you find you can't

Maybe a few too many Jägerbomb's.

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

and sadly, if the insurance company can prove that alcohol was in play, they decide that voids her cover

... only if the alcohol intoxication is over a certain level. What insurers consider normal or reasonable consumption does not void policies.

3 hours ago, Harsh Jones said:

Funny how alcohol is the worst drug of them all and yet it is the most socially and politically acceptable.

Funny how some people claim that alcohol is the worst drug of them all.

6 hours ago, Tarteso said:

The insurance company will wash its hands of the matter if she consumed alcohol..

Not if she consumed only a reasonable amount, normal alcohol use doesn't automatically invalidate policies.

5 hours ago, damo1967 said:

If her insurance company looks at blood test results.. and alcohol/drugs are detected they will null and void any 'claim

That's not necessarily accurate.

5 hours ago, superal said:

So is it the case that any amount of alcohol consumed invalidates your insurance . There must be some form of alcohol allowance

No it is not generally and, yes, generally there are acceptable levels.

3 hours ago, superal said:

I tend to agree with your comments but actually most Thai hotels comply with balcony height regulations that state 1.9 ---2.1 meters in height . 1.5 minimum would be my suggestion .

You'd suggest a minimum lower than is currently required if your hotel regulation quote is accurate? Why?