Australian Tourist Dies After Thai Street Attack

[bridge]

Aussie Dies After Thai Street Attack

An Australian tourist who died after being attacked in Thailand will be buried there tomorrow, farewelled by his pregnant Thai girlfriend and Adelaide family.

Andrew Oake, 28, had been holidaying in Prasat, near Surin in north-eastern Thailand, for two months with his girlfriend, Som, who is six months pregnant.

About four weeks ago the pair were travelling between villages when they were set upon by two men on motorbikes.

Som ran for help while Mr Oake was slashed on the arms and head with a machete in what might have been a failed robbery.

His father, Roy Oake, said his son was first sent to a local hospital, but the tendons in his arm were severed, and he was sent to Bangkok for surgery.

Mr Oake said there was speculation his son could lose his arm, but he was urged to leave hospital by his travel insurance company.

He returned to Prasat, nine hours away, but later needed another operation in Bangkok and treatment for an infection that had developed in his arm.

At that point, Mr Oake says the insurance company ordered his son to return to Australia for treatment or it would end his policy.

He was making the trip back to Prasat to fetch his passport on Sunday when he died on the mini-bus.

Mr Oake, who arrived in Thailand with his son's brother and mother this week, said he hoped his son's insurance would provide for Som and the baby.

"I told them he was in no condition to travel anywhere," he said.

"He was fatigued, he was in pain, he wouldn't make it."

The couple were married last year by local monks.

Their friend Travis Senne, an American living in Thailand, said he was concerned police had not made an arrest, weeks after the attack in the quiet town.

"Prasat is such a peaceful area, it's not a big city or anything," he said.

"Andrew was a very upstanding, honest person, a very responsible family man.

"He had a plan, a life plan, but it got cut short."

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said staff had been in contact with the family and would provide all necessary consular assistance.

"The cause of death is a matter for Thai authorities to determine," she said.

Source : Sydney Morning Herald

-- 2010-04-15

[wallhigh]

RIP fellow ozzie dude...

but,

Slashed with a machete? This is becoming like Somalia!

Sad, very sad for Thailand.

Edited April 15, 2010 by wallhigh

[robblok]

hmmm.. sounds like the travel insurance wanted to save a dime and that cost him his life. I wonder if they can be held accountable.

And yes its real bad to get attacked like that here in Thailand, i hope they get the guys but if there are no more witnesses then it would be hard.

[101734]

Poor guy that's terrible. I pray the machete wielding nutcase now lives the most unlucky, miserable existence imaginable to man.

[samuibeachcomber]

that is terrible news,so sad for his family and his girlfriend.So much for travel insurance.R.I.P.

[ozzieovaseas]

Sounds like the guy was in no state to travel..

Wonder why the passport couldnt be delivered to him in some other way instead of him having to make the ill fated trip himself?

I just hope there are no sinister stories behind this one. The guy was to young to go like that, especially at the hands of cowardly

*****'s brandishing machetes. They should be strung up.

So sad, condolances to wife and family

[clinique]

What a tragedy. I hope the machete weilders a run over by a 10 wheeler.

And hows the actions of the Travel Insurer ?? What a**holes,, but thats insurance companies for you. They should be held accountable for this poor guys death and for the support of his wife and child.

And the DFTA response - its the Thai authorities problem/job. Pass the buck - typical of these desk bound authoritarian 'public' servants. "were right charlie...<deleted> you !"

RIP and condolences to the family.

[gotlost]

RIP. This does not sound like Prasat. 10 to 1 there is more to it.

[samuibeachcomber]

notice that the attack happened 4 weeks ago and the first news is from an aussie newspaper,maybe because it happened in isaan and not a tourist destination?Used to stay at the ex's farmhouse near chaiyaphum and we often went to the nearby town(20 minutes by bike)but was told by family "never travel like that after dark"because you could be attacked by people on bikes trying to knock you off and rob you.Like everywhere today its just not safe.

[kopite]

Slashed with a machete? This is becoming like Somalia!

happens so often in the uk, that its never reported.

[barrybankruad]

RIP. This does not sound like Prasat. 10 to 1 there is more to it.

As a fellow Aussie living close to Prasat, I agree that it sounds unusual for such a small town. However these days with so much jaba floating around and the addicts desperate to get more, I can't say that I'm completely surprised.

So long cobber, may you rest in peace.

[neverdie]

Sad story, not only for the deceased, his family in Australia and his thai wife but also their unborn child.

[wintermute]

Story does sound suspect to be honest. Why would they just hack him without trying to demand anything first? I'm guessing some words were exchanged of the unkind Bogan variety.

[way2muchcoffee]

RIP fellow ozzie dude...

but,

Slashed with a machete? This is becoming like Somalia!

Sad, very sad for Thailand.

I was mugged in the Klong Tan area a few years back. Two guys wielding machetes approached me from in front and behind in a darkened underpass at the bridge just west of the Klong Tan intersection. The attack occurred at about 8:30 pm. When they reached me they said nothing at all, but immediately one of them swung a machete downward at my forehead. I managed to get my hand up and blocked the machete, nearly severing the pinky finger and thumb on my left hand. I somehow broke free and ran as fast as I could, losing one of my shoes in the process. There was also a large slice on my neck that probably came from the other guy, also carrying a machete. The slice was not deep, but the fact that a machete made a cut on my neck was very disturbing. This was a horrible, horrible experience. Wrong place, wrong time I guess. But make no mistake, extreme violence is commonplace here on the land of smiles.

Edited April 15, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[apetley]

Story does sound suspect to be honest. Why would they just hack him without trying to demand anything first? I'm guessing some words were exchanged of the unkind Bogan variety.

Have you ever tried to deal with some yabba'd up psycho?

Drugged up thieves are hardly thinking rationally.

Any delay in handing over the money for their next fix can quite easily push them over the edge and there is nothing in the OP to suggest the poor guy was anything but the victim of a murderous robbery attempt.

[Screws]

I am sure many would be interested to know the name of the travel insurance company involved - Pls post if you know!!

[hjvdhoef]

RIP fellow ozzie dude...

but,

Slashed with a machete? This is becoming like Somalia!

Sad, very sad for Thailand.

Sad for his wife and family you mean.

[jackr]

The insurers should be seriously shafted for this.

happens so often in the uk, that its never reported.

What, folk getting cut up with machetes on motorbikes? A new one on me.

[dude007]

anyone knows the name of this travel insurance Company? Very interesting to know because I wouldn't like to be their next victim!

[lensta]

hmmm.. sounds like the travel insurance wanted to save a dime and that cost him his life. I wonder if they can be held accountable.

And yes its real bad to get attacked like that here in Thailand, i hope they get the guys but if there are no more witnesses then it would be hard.

RIP. I also hope that the insurance company is held responsible if what they said is true. With any luck they will be sued for millions and millions of dollars

[Wrong Turn]

hmmm.. sounds like the travel insurance wanted to save a dime and that cost him his life. I wonder if they can be held accountable.

And yes its real bad to get attacked like that here in Thailand, i hope they get the guys but if there are no more witnesses then it would be hard.

Yes, something sounds very, very, wrong with him travelling back and forth to one hospital, another, then another, and then told to fly back to Australia.

He should have went to Bumrumgrad or some top quality place in Bankok, no?

[culicine]

notice that the attack happened 4 weeks ago and the first news is from an aussie newspaper,maybe because it happened in isaan and not a tourist destination?Used to stay at the ex's farmhouse near chaiyaphum and we often went to the nearby town(20 minutes by bike)but was told by family "never travel like that after dark"because you could be attacked by people on bikes trying to knock you off and rob you.Like everywhere today its just not safe.

Night time robberies like this are quite common here. Police are well aware of this problem. My brother-in-laws are policemen and tell me they try to "get rid" of these guys if they can. The thugs simply disappear...make of that what you will!

RIP to a fellow Aussie.

[tsq]

such incident gives me 2nd thought about my plan to drive into Thailand this year end... hrmpp...

Maybe Msia-Hatyai-Phuket routes are safer ??

anyway, very sad of such happening ... furthermore towards a person who is a dad to be ... i hope the family, esp the wife and the kid to come will pull it thru ... god bless them

Edited April 15, 2010 by tsq

[jucel]

hmmm.. sounds like the travel insurance wanted to save a dime and that cost him his life. I wonder if they can be held accountable.

And yes its real bad to get attacked like that here in Thailand, i hope they get the guys but if there are no more witnesses then it would be hard.

RIP. I also hope that the insurance company is held responsible if what they said is true. With any luck they will be sued for millions and millions of dollars

corporations have no conscience! rip a truly shocking story that should receive more airtime etc. But heh can't give any bad impressions of thailand, can we?? they can do that for themselves

[kiwiinasia]

Well I hope they catch the murdering thieves and lock them up with Big Dick Somchai or the Nigerians.

[Sheryl]

I too would like to know the name of the travel insurance company.

And hope the family sues the %^&$ out of them.

[warfie]

R.I.P. brother.

heartfelt condolences to the wife and family.

Hope the bandits are "made to disappear" in a most unpleasant way.

Hope the insurance company are made to pay... and pay... and pay...

[jitenshaman]

I was mugged in the Klong Tan area a few years back. Two guys wielding machetes approached me from in front and behind in a darkened underpass at the bridge just west of the Klong Tan intersection. The attack occurred at about 8:30 pm. When they reached me they said nothing at all, but immediately one of them swung a machete downward at my forehead. I managed to get my hand up and blocked the machete, nearly severing the pinky finger and thumb on my left hand. I somehow broke free and ran as fast as I could, losing one of my shoes in the process. There was also a large slice on my neck that probably came from the other guy, also carrying a machete. The slice was not deep, but the fact that a machete made a cut on my neck was very disturbing. This was a horrible, horrible experience. Wrong place, wrong time I guess. But make no mistake, extreme violence is commonplace here on the land of smiles.

That is pretty scary..i lived by that intersection for 4 years, often walked right in that underpass at night..fortunately never had any incidents. So those guys never demanded money or anything, just an unprovoked attack. Did they try to follow you?

[HunkeyDorey]

anyone knows the name of this travel insurance Company? Very interesting to know because I wouldn't like to be their next victim!

How would Thai Visa find out the name of the insurance company?

Have been to Prasat. A quiet rural town immerced in rice fields.

lets keep the topic going.

My words are inadequate for the families!

[bridge]

I have just spoke to AAP in Canberra, Australia and vented my disgust with regards to the Insurance company. I directed AAP to the TV link and the journo I spoke to said they may do more on it now due to the interest being generated.

Also the journo I spoke to said that DFAT did not release the name of the Insurance company.

Bridge

Edited April 15, 2010 by bridge