Dutch Man Brutally Murdered And Burnt In His Pattaya

[libya 115]

SOURCE: Pattaya Daily News: July 8th 2008

DUTCH MAN BRUTALLY MURDERED AND BURNT IN HIS PATTAYA HOUSE

A Dutch man was found dead and burnt inside his house on July 7, 2008, in Pattaya, under suspicious circumstances. Police presume he had been dead for at least two days. In addition to being burnt, he was found to have been stabbed by a one metre-long knife, which had almost severed his neck. A police spokesman said it was an awful case to have happened to a foreigner.

On July 7, at 6 pm, Police Officer Seksak Ar-torn-gijawat, Banglamung Police, was notified that a foreigner had apparently been murdered at his house in Moo Baan Bali Village, Moo 1, Nong-Pla-Lai, Banglamung. Pol.Col. Pairat Sapasawas, Deputy Commander, Pol.Col.Sarayut Sa-gnuan-bpho-kai, Banglamung Superintendent, Pol.Lt.Col.Saranpat Yosombat, Deputy Superintendent of the Investigation Department and Pol.Maj.Nit Withinanthagit, investigation officer with Sawang Boriboon Rescue accordingly went to investigate.

At the bungalow, which was securely locked, police had to cut off the padlock to enter. The state of the house showed extensive burning throughout. In the bathroom, police investigators found Mr. Martinus Johannes Grardus Antonius Jochems, (63), a Dutch citizen, dead, lying face down, wearing only blue shorts. There was a one metre-long knife stab wound starting on the left side of his neck, going all the way through to the right side. The body was burnt, and police presume he had been dead for about two days. The house had been thoroughly ransacked and almost all of the contents were burnt. Police found a matchbox on the floor and many footprints throughout the house. They also found a pointed knife which had fallen in a plant pot in front of the house, which they kept as evidence.

Mrs. Ann Cameron (58), a neighbour, told police that she had not seen Mr. Jochems for many days. Until yesterday afternoon, the dog that belonged to Mr.Jochems had persistently gone through a hole in the fence of the house and its body was covered with black carbon. She said she had subsequently washed it. She was suspicious that something untoward must have happened and consequently reported her concern to the police. She said did not know that the owner of the house had been murdered or that the house had been set on fire. Mrs. Cameron also said that a few days ago, she had seen a man and woman, both Thai, come to the house. She said she had heard a loud argument, but paid no attention as she thought that it was a private matter.

Pol.Col. Pairat Supasawas declared that, at this stage, police could not clarify if it was a case of murder or suicide. The area was cordoned off and the Chonburi Evidence Proof Department, section 13, are carrying out a thorough inspection of the incident location. A few neighbours were questioned, especially Miss Rattana Intirat (28), a staff member of a karaoke bar in Soi Nongket, who had known Mr. Jochems very well. Apparently, Mr. Jochems had recently been flirting with her colleague who works at the same bar, but the investigators did not discover anything suspicious.

Pol.Col.Pairat, further told a PDN reporter "If this case was murder, it would be a dreadful one as the death was that of a foreigner who was brutally killed by being stabbed in the neck and also burnt to cover up the evidence. Banglamung and Chonburi investigation teams are currently conducting an in-depth investigation, questioning most of the people who had known the deceased. The body of Mr. Jochems will be handed over to the forensic laboratory at the police hospital to be examined to ascertain the true cause of death." The Dutch embassy has been informed.

[moo9]

Wow, another horror case. RIP.

[Briggsy]

SOURCE: Pattaya Daily News: July 8th 2008

DUTCH MAN BRUTALLY MURDERED AND BURNT IN HIS PATTAYA HOUSE

A Dutch man was found dead and burnt inside his house on July 7, 2008, in Pattaya, under suspicious circumstances. Police presume he had been dead for at least two days. In addition to being burnt, he was found to have been stabbed by a one metre-long knife, which had almost severed his neck. A police spokesman said it was an awful case to have happened to a foreigner.

At the bungalow, which was securely locked, police had to cut off the padlock to enter. The state of the house showed extensive burning throughout. In the bathroom, police investigators found Mr. Martinus Johannes Grardus Antonius Jochems, (63), a Dutch citizen, dead, lying face down, wearing only blue shorts. There was a one metre-long knife stab wound starting on the left side of his neck, going all the way through to the right side. The body was burnt, and police presume he had been dead for about two days. The house had been thoroughly ransacked and almost all of the contents were burnt. Police found a matchbox on the floor and many footprints throughout the house. They also found a pointed knife which had fallen in a plant pot in front of the house, which they kept as evidence.

Pol.Col. Pairat Supasawas declared that, at this stage, police could not clarify if it was a case of murder or suicide. What do you reckon, Sherlock?

Another farang's retirement in paradise ends in a brutal slaying.

May the murderers rot in hel_l.

[poshthai]

If this case was murder-----------------

This is what the police say.How can any one kill themselves by nearly severing the head,i would say that would be far too painful.

Another tragic case but unfortunately this is happening all over the world not just Thailand.

R.I.P

[libya 115]

Pol.Col. Pairat Supasawas declared that, at this stage, police could not clarify if it was a case of murder or suicide.

Since the victims neck was almost severed by the one metre knife, then it must be murder, since in order to cut off ones own head is impossible. But like all murders here in Pattaya the police would prefer it to be suicide to save themselves any hard investigative 'Police Work'.

Pathetic!

[Bluelotus]

He argued with his girlfriend , ransacked his own house then set it on fire , chopped his own head off then walked around leaving lots of bloody footprints , stripped down to his shorts and fell down dead , happens all the time .

[poshthai]

Am i right to say that the guy lived on the Darkside????

[lazeeboy]

its all doom and gloom up there

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

It leaves me speechless that a Police Col. coulde even beging to consider that a suicide. What a bunch of BS that they would even begin to consider anything but murder.

[bangkokrick]

Suicide. Job done. Next!

Unreal.

Cheers, Rick

[larvidchr]

Very sad story, RIP to Mr. Martinus Jochems

[MisterFingers]

It leaves me speechless that a Police Col. coulde even beging to consider that a suicide. What a bunch of BS that they would even begin to consider anything but murder.

Every police investigation has to rule out all possibilities before they can say something happened for sure. In this case, it's probably just a formality.

On July 7, at 6 pm, Police Officer Seksak Ar-torn-gijawat, Banglamung Police, was notified that a foreigner had apparently been murdered at his house

This statement shows that the police are leaning strongly toward murder but can't say for sure until it's official.

It will be investigated, and is already being investigated as a murder.

They'll want to catch the assailants if for no other reason than the good press.

So you guys just calm down. Nothing to get worked up about.

[HowardJohnson]

Jeez...

RIP

[whatsoever]

I am surprized they didnt say that there was beer in the fridge - making suicide more likely

Just goes to show that anything that can be put down to suicide - no matter how unlikely - will be. Therefore letting the murderers go free as there is no investigations!

[libya 115]

SOURCE: Pattaya One News: July 8th 2008

More information in this news report:

Murder of Suicide? Body of Dutch Man discovered in his burnt out house.

A disturbing case of suspected murder now from house number 68/5 at a small village in Nong Pla Lai sub-district in Banglamung. On Monday Evening, Banglamung Police were alerted to a problem at the house by a neighbor, Mrs. Ann Cameron.

She informed Police that her neighbors’ dog was seen to be covered in black soot suggesting there may have been a fire inside the house. Police arrived and gained entry to the house and found the interior burnt out. Inside the bathroom Police discovered the charred body of Mr. Martinus Johannes Gerardus Antonius Jochems aged 64 from The Netherlands. A ceremonial sword was seen protruding from his neck and at this point senior officers were called in to oversee this case of apparent murder.

Police Colonel Sarayut, the Chief of Banglamung Police along with Police Colonel Naradaert, the Regional Commander of the Tourist Police attended the scene along with a Forensic Team from Chonburi Police Headquarters.

Evidence was removed from the scene including footprint impressions and a box of matches thought to have been used to start the fire. Neighbors were questioned and it was determined that a Thai Man and Woman had gone to the house 2 days before the discovery of the victim and a verbal altercation was heard. A full profile of Mr. Jochems is now being constructed and the body has been taken to the Police Forensic Lab in Bangkok for autopsy.

Police tell us that although the house appeared to have been ransacked, they cannot discount suicide as the cause of death at this time, however they are also exploring the possibility that this was murder. The Police investigation continues.

Photograph of ceremonial sword courtesy of Pattaya One News: July 8th 2008

[NotNew2You]

He argued with his girlfriend , ransacked his own house then set it on fire , chopped his own head off then walked around leaving lots of bloody footprints , stripped down to his shorts and fell down dead...

There you have it...simple...case solved

[joskydive]

For a country that is so scared of ghosts, I'm surprised that there are so many murders.

I hope he comes back and terrorises them for the rest of their miserable lives.

[innovator]

He argued with his girlfriend , ransacked his own house then set it on fire , chopped his own head off then walked around leaving lots of bloody footprints , stripped down to his shorts and fell down dead...

NO NO NO....

He argued with his girlfriend and her Thai man, as the story indicated there was a Thai man and woman arguing with the Farang. Then, he ransacked the house, set it on fire, cut his throat and hobbled around in the blood and then fell down dead. This is possible if the cut to the neck was not too deep.

However, the story also indicated that the victim was wearing only blue shorts, which means that he was not wearing any shoes. So, how is it that there were shoe prints in the blood? There must have been someone else in the house. Impossible to leave shoe prints if you are not wearing shoes.

RIP and scalp the murderers Native American Style.

[Tyke]

If this case was murder-----------------

This is what the police say.How can any one kill themselves by nearly severing the head,i would say that would be far too painful.

Another tragic case but unfortunately this is happening all over the world not just Thailand.

R.I.P

Disagree, it is quite easy for someone to half rip their own head off with a knife then set themselves or their property alight. That's why the Pattaya police are saying it could have been suicide. It must happen all the time.

[Scott]

My condolences to the friends and family of the victim.

I think the sad part is that the police can't keep their mouth shut. I think it would suffice to say that he died under suspicious circumstances that are being investigated. The mention of suicide, because it is so far fetched, is best left unsaid. That's especially true here, where nearly all deaths are suspected suicide.

In this case, the facts, limited as they are, seem to speak for themselves.

[cali4995]

Another sad tale. This seems to be persistently happening to retired foreigners who are living just

outside of the city limits. I guess they present easier targets who are less capable of defending

themselves. These farang robbery/murders do seem to happen here with troubling regularity.

[Scolli]

SOURCE: Pattaya One News: July 9th 2008

Some more news on this case:

3 women thought to have been involved in recent death of Dutch man.

We are closely following the investigation into the death of Mr. Martinus Jochems from The Netherlands who was discovered in the toilet of his fire-damaged house. A sword was protruding from his neck and initially Police explored two avenues of investigation as they were unsure if this was a suicide or murder. Banglamung Police are now sure this was in fact a murder and have announced that three Thai women appear to be directly or in-directly involved in the case. Mr. Jochems was known to frequent a local bar, The Kansas City Bar and Police have been questioning Khun Rattana aged 30 who worked at the Bar. She would introduce women to Mr. Jochems on a regular basis. One of the women who she claims would often go to Mr. Jochems house was Khun Ponjan aged 25. She claims that Khun Ponjan killed Mr. Jochems following an argument over a mobile phone that Mr. Jochems allegedly took from Khun Ponjan after he became possessive over her and did not want her to return to the bar to work. On 3rd July, the day of the alleged murder, Khun Ponjan entered into an argument with Mr. Jochems inside his house over the mobile phone. She was unable to retrieve the phone and called her friend, Khun Rattana, the woman who is now in custody, who was waiting outside the house. The arguments continued and Khun Ponjan allegedly followed Mr. Jochems into the toilet and struck him on the head with a metal pipe she had found in the house. She then used the sword and plunged the weapon into his neck. The pair panicked and called a third woman known only as “Noi” and the three decided that they would set the house alight to hide evidence of the apparent murder. She soon arrived and the fire was started. Neighbors mentioned noticing a burning smell coming from the house but thought nothing of it at the time, because Mr. Jochems appeared to be suffering from mental problems and would often shout and scream while alone inside the house. Arrest warrants for Khun Ponjan and “Noi” have been issued and Police expect to catch them soon. We will update you when we receive any further information on this disturbing case of murder.

[whatsoever]

Sounds like they have already prepaired their defence by alleging he was possesive and mentaly unstable. Throw in the old loss of face card and a fine should do the trick

Edited July 9, 2008 by whatsoever

[libya 115]

SOURCE: Pattaya Daily News: July 9th 2008

PATTAYA POLICE DECLARE DUTCHMAN'S DEATH WAS DEFINITELY MURDER

In the ongoing investigation of the mysterious death of Dutch man, Martinus Johannes Grardus Antonius Jochems, who was found with a severe, knife-inflicted neck wound in his burnt house on July 7, 2008, Pattaya Police spokesman, Pol.Col.Ithiporn Bua-thong,announced today, July 8, that it was most definitely a case ofmurder rather than suicide.

The murdered man had been found lying dead, face down, in the toilet of his resident in Moo Baan Bali Village, Moo 1, Nong-Pla-Lai, Banglamung. Both his body and his house had been burnt and extensive damage caused to the contents of his house. According to the investigators, a man and a woman had previously come to the house and had a serious dispute with Mr. Jochems. Police are currently searching for this mystery Thai couple to question them.

At 11am, on July 8, an investigative team jointly led by Pol.Col. Annob Tapanon, Superintendent of Inspection Department #3, Chonburi, Pol.Col. Naradet Glom-tuksing, Crime suppression Superintendent, Pol.Col.Ithiporn Bua-thong, Investigation Superintendent Section 2, and Superintendent Pol.Col.Sarayut Sa-gnuen-bpo-kai, Banglamung, conducted a thorough re-examination of the incident scene. Police found that the desk had been completely ransacked. There was carbon stain which smelled like benzene and footprints on the floor. Police recorded the evidence, including a matchbox, a pointed knife, a knife case, CD, a notebook and documents of the deceased and also collected fingerprints. The process took around one hour.

Earlier, police had questioned Miss Ratana Ithirat aka "C" or "Pepsi", (30), a staff member of a karaoke bar, who had known Mr. Jochems very well and used to introduce some of her friends to sleep with Mr. Jochems. However, the investigation did not discover anything suspicious in her testimony.

Mrs. Piyaporn Wave (42), a neighbour who lives 3 houses away from the deceased, told police that Mr.Jochems had another house, No. 98/4, next door to the house of the incident. In front of the house, there was an unlicensed, bronze Toyota Soluna parked. Apparently, Mr.Jochems had had regular visits at the house from a variety of women. A few days ago, Miss Ratana had driven a white pickup truck to pick up her friend, nicknamed Miss Jan from Mr. Jochems's house.

Apparently, Mr. Jochems had been reluctant to let Miss Jan to go and a serious argument had ensued, but nobody paid any attention. In addition, it is known that Mr.Jochems used to be in the military and had a mental problem, then he resigned to come and live in Thailand, where he had been living for more than 3 years. Apparently, Mr. Jochems had a tendency to cry out, groaning, from his house for no obvious reason and no one dared to investigate. At around 2 am, on July 6th, many neighbours detected the smell of burning coming from the Mr. Jochems's house, but nobody went over to have a look at the time. He was later found on July 7th, 2008. The investigation continues.

[dotcom]

He argued with his girlfriend , ransacked his own house then set it on fire , chopped his own head off then walked around leaving lots of bloody footprints , stripped down to his shorts and fell down dead , happens all the time .

And padlocked his gate FROM THE OUTSIDE. Solved.

[Heng]

SOURCE: Pattaya Daily News: July 9th 2008

PATTAYA POLICE DECLARE DUTCHMAN'S DEATH WAS DEFINITELY MURDER

In the ongoing investigation of the mysterious death of Dutch man, Martinus Johannes Grardus Antonius Jochems, who was found with a severe, knife-inflicted neck wound in his burnt house on July 7, 2008, Pattaya Police spokesman, Pol.Col.Ithiporn Bua-thong,announced today, July 8, that it was most definitely a case ofmurder rather than suicide.

The murdered man had been found lying dead, face down, in the toilet of his resident in Moo Baan Bali Village, Moo 1, Nong-Pla-Lai, Banglamung. Both his body and his house had been burnt and extensive damage caused to the contents of his house. According to the investigators, a man and a woman had previously come to the house and had a serious dispute with Mr. Jochems. Police are currently searching for this mystery Thai couple to question them.

At 11am, on July 8, an investigative team jointly led by Pol.Col. Annob Tapanon, Superintendent of Inspection Department #3, Chonburi, Pol.Col. Naradet Glom-tuksing, Crime suppression Superintendent, Pol.Col.Ithiporn Bua-thong, Investigation Superintendent Section 2, and Superintendent Pol.Col.Sarayut Sa-gnuen-bpo-kai, Banglamung, conducted a thorough re-examination of the incident scene. Police found that the desk had been completely ransacked. There was carbon stain which smelled like benzene and footprints on the floor. Police recorded the evidence, including a matchbox, a pointed knife, a knife case, CD, a notebook and documents of the deceased and also collected fingerprints. The process took around one hour.

Earlier, police had questioned Miss Ratana Ithirat aka "C" or "Pepsi", (30), a staff member of a karaoke bar, who had known Mr. Jochems very well and used to introduce some of her friends to sleep with Mr. Jochems. However, the investigation did not discover anything suspicious in her testimony.

Mrs. Piyaporn Wave (42), a neighbour who lives 3 houses away from the deceased, told police that Mr.Jochems had another house, No. 98/4, next door to the house of the incident. In front of the house, there was an unlicensed, bronze Toyota Soluna parked. Apparently, Mr.Jochems had had regular visits at the house from a variety of women. A few days ago, Miss Ratana had driven a white pickup truck to pick up her friend, nicknamed Miss Jan from Mr. Jochems's house.

Apparently, Mr. Jochems had been reluctant to let Miss Jan to go and a serious argument had ensued, but nobody paid any attention. In addition, it is known that Mr.Jochems used to be in the military and had a mental problem, then he resigned to come and live in Thailand, where he had been living for more than 3 years. Apparently, Mr. Jochems had a tendency to cry out, groaning, from his house for no obvious reason and no one dared to investigate. At around 2 am, on July 6th, many neighbours detected the smell of burning coming from the Mr. Jochems's house, but nobody went over to have a look at the time. He was later found on July 7th, 2008. The investigation continues.

One of the downsides of sudden deaths. Your dirty laundry is readily aired for all to hear and see.

[Tinkelbell]

He argued with his girlfriend , ransacked his own house then set it on fire , chopped his own head off then walked around leaving lots of bloody footprints , stripped down to his shorts and fell down dead , happens all the time .

LOL !

That what happens to those of you who's been in LOS too long - you start thinking and sounding more like BIB. That how these boys-in-brown handle their farang murdered cases. The way it goes, life is cheap here.

I know your comment is sarcastic, but it rings true. TIT.

R-I-P

My condollence to the family.

[Robski]

Khun Ponjan killed Mr. Jochems following an argument over a mobile phone

That's the price of his life, that's how cheap it is these days.

Neighbors mentioned noticing a burning smell coming from the house but thought nothing of it at the time, ... and would often shout and scream while alone inside the house.

And that's how much Thai neighbours think of Farangs.

What a bloody awful country Thailand is turning into.

[sbk]

Apparently, at least one of the neighbors was a foreigner.

[Heng]

Neighbors mentioned noticing a burning smell coming from the house but thought nothing of it at the time, ... and would often shout and scream while alone inside the house.

And that's how much Thai neighbours think of Farangs.

Often shouting and screaming while alone? That's the house in any neighborhood anywhere in the world that you tell the kids to stay away from.