German Engineer Killed By Bomb In Chon Buri

[LaoPo]

Suicide or Murder ?

Are there any more examples, known, whether in- or outside Thailand of people who killed themselves with grenades/explosives...in a remote area ? Anybody ?

And, taking the facts into consideration, where was Mr. Uwe Keienburg from Wednesday morning 09.00am when he left home in BKK until Thursday around 2.00pm when the explosion was heard in the rubber plantation ?

If someone plans suicide why wait so long ?

Or could it be that a suicide was staged ?

But, of course I can't tell; rhetorical questions...

LaoPo

[Electra]

1- The head missing is a significant point - probably removed to confirm the victim to the person who ordered the hit.

Ahhh, you mean as in " Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia " ?

Tell me, in your fevered imagination, do you always rely heavily upon Peckinpah for your inspiration?

These threads do amuse not least because most posters are so delightfully keen to base their suppositions upon nothing more than a deductive process solely rooted in Hollywood.

[LaoPo]

Updated: [August 22, 2009 ] :: 18:38:11

KEIENBERG’S DEATH – POLICE RELEASE FURTHER INFORMATION

Pattaya, August 22,[PDN]: on the morning of Saturday 22nd August, a police team led by Police Lieutenant Pasuwat Chomtanom carried out a further inspection of the area surrounding the explosion which killed German national Uwe Keienburg.

More debris from the blast was found, much of it stuck to rubber trees, and included paper notes and pieces of cloth which are believed to be part of a computer notebook case. The investigating team from Chonburi told reporters that the M33 hand grenade had caused a blast zone of 50 square meters.

Witnesses have come forward to tell police that they saw the silver BMW 523 I, No. 4007, being driven into the area. After the sound of the explosion they didn’t see any vehicle leave the area. Officials also revealed that the only fingerprints found in the car belong to the deceased.

Mr Keienburt’s wife, Mrs Araya spent a total of 3 hours giving the information to the investigators. She said her husband had a legal conflict with a group of Indian businessmen concerning an outstanding debt but this did not involve a huge amount of money. The case was still at the negotiating stage.

She added that Mr. Keienburt had also started a business exporting goods to Malaysia and had recently been travelling back and forth to the country quite often. In addition, investigators were informed that Mr. Keienburt had a relationship with a Malaysian woman who could be related to his death.

On Thursday 20th August, the day before his death, Mr. Keienburt told his wife as he was driving out of the house: “It might be difficult for me to live on this earth”.

Mrs Araya said he had had financial problems, especially to find money to purchase machines from the USA for his new export business to Malaysia. His letter of credit [LC] was rejected from his bank and he tried asking her to borrow her mother’s land deed to mortgage but her mother refused.

Police are continuing their investigations and PDN will provide updates to this case as and when we receive them.

Source: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000010123

Note: they speak of: "..Thursday 20th August, the day before his death...".

That's confusing since it was reported that he was missing since Wednesday morning.

LaoPo

[noithip]

His wife said he had been under threats from foreign nationals in the real estate business for a long time and he was always watching out.

compared to

On Thursday 20th August, the day before his death, Mr. Keienburt told his wife as he was driving out of the house: “It might be difficult for me to live on this earth”.

and

In addition, investigators were informed that Mr. Keienburt had a relationship with a Malaysian woman who could be related to his death.

Doesn't add up, does it?

[Soupdragon]

You have to wonder how the crime scene was examined. Heads don't vaporise in a grenade blast. There must be skull fragments scattered around if the head is indeed still at the scene.

[cyb]

You have to wonder how the crime scene was examined. Heads don't vaporise in a grenade blast. There must be skull fragments scattered around if the head is indeed still at the scene.

There does appear to be a lot of unanswered questions regarding this tragic event.

May be they will all be answered may be they will not, We will just have to wait and see.

[Screws]

You have to wonder how the crime scene was examined. Heads don't vaporise in a grenade blast. There must be skull fragments scattered around if the head is indeed still at the scene.

or dogs

[brahmburgers]

You'd think that a businessman would at least leave some sort of note if he were planning imminent suicide. If not, it has similarities to the unfortunate Italian who threw himself off a Bkk bridge several months ago.

Message to those contemplating suicide: do your family survivors a favor, give at least some notification, so there's not reams of speculation swirling around afterward.

Either way, sad.

[snowgard]

Who takes the notebook with if he want to blow up himself? And I don't know why, but nobody write something about his mobilephone. A businessman without a mobilephone? No way!!! But where is it?

Last month (July 23) it given another granade story of real estate business pattaya: DISGRUNTLED CONTRACTOR BOMBS PATTAYA DEVELOPER

[Rimmer]

You have to wonder how the crime scene was examined. Heads don't vaporise in a grenade blast. There must be skull fragments scattered around if the head is indeed still at the scene.

One assumes that one of the first tasks of the police is to establish the correct identity of the remains, without a head and presumably teeth this becomes a bit more difficult unless they match DNA samples. In an investigation of this sort one can not just assume that the remains are whom they are supposed to be.

[Namsai]

Holy s**t indeed. Rough business, this whole real estate thingy.

Condolences to the family.

The Farang have to be careful about business in Thailand. Do you know Mafai.Every Province in Thailand have Mafai.Chonburi and Pattaya very famouse about Mafai every Thai people know who's mafai in this area. Thailand very good for Vacation and shopping for the Farang. if you want to do business you have to learn more about the Culture and The Systm goverment in Thailand. I m so sorry this new.

[Gary A]

If he was going to commit suicide, why wouldn't he sell the BMW and have a last good fling first?

[RickBradford]

^

Because depressed people don't think that way.

"Oh, I'll go and have a wonderful time, and after that, I'll kill myself because I'm so depressed."

Edited August 22, 2009 by RickBradford

[Datsun240Z]

I don't know what to think of Thai police investigations. But what i've heard from several Thai's confirming the real estate business, is a dangerous area.

[BangkokHank]

Given that the victim allegedly was having an affair with another woman (in Malaysia) - that his wife seemed to have known about - I wouldn't rule out involvement by the wife.

[plachon]

Sounds to me like the local people are keeping shtum about what they saw and know. Sensible self-survival if somebody saw a violent act take place or the immediate aftermath, in a place like Chonburi where local mafia abound and the cops are on their paylist.

I came across a male body in Prachuap Khiri Khan lying next to a lane that had a slit throat. Only about a metre off the road and quite visible to anyone driving past. Looked like it had been there since the previous night, but when we knocked at nearby houses nobody knew anything and nobody wanted to call the police. They feigned surprise that their was a body in the soi. See no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil was the order of the day.

Expect it will still be ruled suicide all the same.

[prinzregent]

why he commited suicide himself ?

... good question !

Where he buy M33 grenade/ C4 ? In the Carrefour ? ? ? ? ? ?

Edited August 22, 2009 by prinzregent

[PingManDan]

RUSSIAN MAFIA (sure sounds like it)

[miruph]

RUSSIAN MAFIA

+unknown Germans

+local mafia

+BiB

+not existing Indians?

Updated: [August 22, 2009 ] :: 18:38:11

In addition, investigators were informed that Mr. Keienburt had a relationship with a Malaysian woman who could be related to his death.

"It might be difficult for me to live on this earth".

LaoPo

+(may be jealous) wife and/or gf who knew all of his biz.

"It might be difficult for me to live on this earth".

Not the words of an experienced (German) engineer able to work everywhere.

Seems there is a good cooperation if someone is a skilled expert disturbing all mentioned parties.

RIP Uwe

[brahmburgers]

Ok, here's a scenario:

I. German has g.f. in Malaysia. He wants to fake his own demise in order to skip off from marriage without repercussions. He lures a farang out to a desolate field, both going in the BMW with a bicycle strapped on top. The German tells the guy he's planning to make a short war film, but he needs to prepare some shots (focus, lighting, angles). He pays the farang to walk out in the field with a notebook computer and a live grenade (he's told it's a prop). At the opportune time, the German calls out to unclip the grenade, in order to get some reality on the photo shoot. Boom! The German gets the head and buries it, then bicycles off to the Malaysian sunset.

[webfact]

German likely committed suicide: police

By THANASAP NOISA-ARD,

PREEVADI VICHAIPRASIT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on August 23, 2009

Failure in business and debts may have led engineer to take own life

Police are now considering suicide as the cause of death of a German engineer whose mutilated body, following a grenade explosion, was found in a rubber plantation in Chon Buri's |Bang Lamung district on Friday morning.

Police had probed the likelihood that Uwe Keienburt, 45, an engineer employed by a real estate company, was murdered.

Thai media had reported the case as an alleged business-related murder due to his Thai wife's testimony about death threats due to conflicts with a group of foreign real estate developers.

Deputy police chief Jongrak Juthanont led a meeting of 20 officers on the case yesterday at the Provincial Police Region 2 Office.

Jongrak said evidence at the scene so far seemed to indicate the deceased might have carried the grenade in his hand while also embracing his computer notebook before the explosion.

He explained that had the grenade had been set off by a second party, it would not have hit the |victim's chest and the assailant would also have been injured judging from the bomb's radius of impact, he said.

The crime scene also showed marks of the victim's car and of the motorcycle belonging to the person who found the body, he added.

Jongrak said police investigation found that the German did not have success in his business and had debts.

He had asked for his mother-in-law's land title deed to be used in a loan application to a bank, but had been refused, which could have led him to commit suicide.

However, police have not completely ruled out murder, especially because of his alleged relationship with a Malaysian woman.

Police yesterday revisited the crime scene and collected more fragments of the grenade from nearby rubber trees as well as some remains of the victim's computer notebook for forensic testing.

Police interview of witnesses in the area also found that they saw only one car, the BMW that was found near the body, going into the alley at the time and there was no other car coming out of that direction after the explosion.

The fingerprint-testing result identified those found in the car as Keienburt's.

During the three-hour interview by police on Friday night, his Thai wife said Keienburt had conflicts with Indian businessmen over a debt and was in negotiation process.

She also told police about his export business to Malaysia that recently required him to travel there often.

She said that before Keienburt left home on Thursday, he had said that it would be difficult for him to be in this world any longer.

A source at the Chon Buri investigating team said all the evidence and witness testimonies so far seemed to point to suicide.

-- The Nation 2009/08/23

[cyb]

Ok, here's a scenario:

I. German has g.f. in Malaysia. He wants to fake his own demise in order to skip off from marriage without repercussions. He lures a farang out to a desolate field, both going in the BMW with a bicycle strapped on top. The German tells the guy he's planning to make a short war film, but he needs to prepare some shots (focus, lighting, angles). He pays the farang to walk out in the field with a notebook computer and a live grenade (he's told it's a prop). At the opportune time, the German calls out to unclip the grenade, in order to get some reality on the photo shoot. Boom! The German gets the head and buries it, then bicycles off to the Malaysian sunset.

brahm,

With the greatest of respect with an imagination like that have you ever thought of contacting spielberg?

oops sarcasm smile not working lol

[LaoPo]

German likely committed suicide: police

By THANASAP NOISA-ARD,

PREEVADI VICHAIPRASIT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on August 23, 2009

Failure in business and debts may have led engineer to take own life

Police are now considering suicide as the cause of death of a German engineer whose mutilated body, following a grenade explosion, was found in a rubber plantation in Chon Buri's |Bang Lamung district on Friday morning.

Police had probed the likelihood that Uwe Keienburt, 45, an engineer employed by a real estate company, was murdered.

Thai media had reported the case as an alleged business-related murder due to his Thai wife's testimony about death threats due to conflicts with a group of foreign real estate developers.

Deputy police chief Jongrak Juthanont led a meeting of 20 officers on the case yesterday at the Provincial Police Region 2 Office.

Jongrak said evidence at the scene so far seemed to indicate the deceased might have carried the grenade in his hand while also embracing his computer notebook before the explosion.

He explained that had the grenade had been set off by a second party, it would not have hit the |victim's chest and the assailant would also have been injured judging from the bomb's radius of impact, he said.

The crime scene also showed marks of the victim's car and of the motorcycle belonging to the person who found the body, he added.

Jongrak said police investigation found that the German did not have success in his business and had debts.

He had asked for his mother-in-law's land title deed to be used in a loan application to a bank, but had been refused, which could have led him to commit suicide.

However, police have not completely ruled out murder, especially because of his alleged relationship with a Malaysian woman.

Police yesterday revisited the crime scene and collected more fragments of the grenade from nearby rubber trees as well as some remains of the victim's computer notebook for forensic testing.

Police interview of witnesses in the area also found that they saw only one car, the BMW that was found near the body, going into the alley at the time and there was no other car coming out of that direction after the explosion.

The fingerprint-testing result identified those found in the car as Keienburt's.

During the three-hour interview by police on Friday night, his Thai wife said Keienburt had conflicts with Indian businessmen over a debt and was in negotiation process.

She also told police about his export business to Malaysia that recently required him to travel there often.

She said that before Keienburt left home on Thursday, he had said that it would be difficult for him to be in this world any longer.

A source at the Chon Buri investigating team said all the evidence and witness testimonies so far seemed to point to suicide.

-- The Nation 2009/08/23

There are a lot of "holes" in the story by the police, but:

* if it was suicide is was a strange and complicated one

and

* if it was murder is was staged to look like a suicide

but both options are strange.

LaoPo

[brahmburgers]

The crime scene also showed marks of the victim's car and of the motorcycle belonging to the person who found the body, he added. .....Nation

What does that mean? Can't the Nation find people to hire - who have a handle on English?

Investigators should try and get hold of the past 3 months' emails for Mr. Keienburt. There could very well be clues there. Nearly everyone uses email extensively, and more often than not, there's a wealth of individuals' info therein - much like diaries.

If not plausible, then authorities should supeona (sp?) emails of all individuals/firms with which Keienburt was corresponding, both on personal and business levels.

Note to farang residing in Thailand: Besides getting a WILL done properly, you might do well to have passwords (for email, etc) put in a safe place, which your most trusted person can readily access when you pass away. Hopefully, you'll drift away in a painless haze some cloudy morning, rather than some painfully bizarre scenario with hundreds of 'strangers' speculating publically, plus loved ones left in the lurch.

We can all sit back now in our easy chairs and think, 'oh, a bizarre ending is not in the cards for me.' - yet that might be just what the German or the Italian (bodyless off the Bkk bridge) or Carradine would have said, months prior to their headline-grabbing demises.

Edited August 23, 2009 by brahmburgers

[grantbkk]

There was the farang hanging from a billboard in Bangkok with a plastic bag tied around his head and his hands tied behind his back a few years back, also ruled a suicide by some crack investigators. Then there are the suicides with firearms. Thailand is the only country where several non-Thais are required to shoot themselves twice in the head to commit suicide.

This is Thailand.

[fantaasia]

Hmmm....

"....his wife, Khun Arayar aged 40 who explained that her Husband left their house in Bangkok at 9am on Thursday and failed to return. She had registered a missing persons report at Thonglor Police Station in Bangkok on Thursday Evening."

I remember myself "disappearing" for longer than 12-14 hours and can't recall my wife went to the police -the same day-, reporting me missing...but that doesn't mean anything I suppose.

LaoPo

Totally agree. The victim leaves for work at 9am and his wife files a missing persons report that very evening!? Presumably she would have called her husband's mobile. If so at what time?

[elektrified]

Having lived in Pattaya for a few years I have to say it seems as if there are quite a few falangs in the real estate business. I'm wondering how can they do this out in the open, I mean I always thought that foriegners can not work in thailand. Surly selling real estate is some thing even a thai can do. Its not rocket science. Why are some people allowed to run businesses. Does anyone know ?

They are in the "real estate business" illegally. They are investing money into their Thai bar girl wives/girlfriends (nominees) and the wives/girlfriends hold title to the properties. There is even a couple of them who frequently post/boast on TV. One calls himself a "farang real estate developer from Hua Hin". The wives/girlfriends buy plots of land with the farang's money and then go to the Land Office to pay a bribe and file the paperwork to subdivide the land into lots (while the farang is hiding outside in the car). They then develop the lots and sell them and the farangs pay a commission to their wife/girlfriend to keep them silent while the farang recovers the principal and a profit. One day this is all going to backfire on them when the wife files for divorce and dumps the foolish, greedy farang or when the g/f disappears with her land. The Land Office is already looking closely to see how these girls come up with the money to buy the land. Farangs can't buy/own real estate in Thailand; simple as that.

Farangs can legally work in Thailand (and own businesses) if they have a work permit.

Edited August 23, 2009 by elektrified

[elektrified]

Holy s**t indeed. Rough business, this whole real estate thingy.

Condolences to the family.

The Farang have to be careful about business in Thailand. Do you know Mafai.Every Province in Thailand have Mafai.Chonburi and Pattaya very famouse about Mafai every Thai people know who's mafai in this area. Thailand very good for Vacation and shopping for the Farang. if you want to do business you have to learn more about the Culture and The Systm goverment in Thailand. I m so sorry this new.

Very well said by an obviously Thai TV member. There is a lesson to be learned here. Thanks for your input.

[chillibilly]

Two comments: Why is it when someone is murdered or a scam is caught by the police, someone writes in and thinks it is going to hurt tourism????? These things happen in all of our home countries (ok, the murders happen more in the USA than in Europe). True, when there are political demonstrations or airport closures due to political reasons, then, YES, that will hurt tourism.

Next, Why do I think of the Russian mofia doing this? (quite high tec) Is it because they (the Russian "clic") has a growing control into things that are shady in Pattaya? (according to some Thai business men I have talked to..) Also, if a Thai was to knock off the guy he would just hire a motorcycle dude doing a "hit and run" for 6000 baht.

Edited August 23, 2009 by chillibilly

[Hawk]

The other day the police were certain it was C4 but it seems that a few telephone calls changed that fact to a grenade where only the victim would be pulling the pin.

In one swift statement the case is closed because we now have an alleged suicide, so everyone has a happy ending, the police, mafia, and government.

So, why drive all the way to Chonburi, he could have supposedly committed suicide just around the corner in the parking lot, and as for the villagers, they are obviously lying, I know how nosey Thai people are, they for sure would have run to see what was happening on hearing an explosion. Ever see a car accident, within minutes dozens of Thai people will suddenly appear to stare at the bodies. And the crime scene, now we only have the cop's word for tire tracks, there could certainly have been other tracks but now that evidence is lost with all the BIB walking and riding all over it.

Perhaps the head was taken by a passing ufo or a Sasquatch.