Austrian MD of Red Bull Company falls to his death from Pattaya Apartment Complex

[travelinasia]

Suicide by jumping off a building, it is pretty rare outside of Thailand isn't it? Whether clothed or naked, I just don't hear of it happening on such a large scale anywhere else?

How many suicides do you actually hear about? I don't believe that the western press gives this topic much space.

Well when people overdose on prescription drugs, or slit their wrists, or take their lives in their own home, you might not hear about it. When somebody jumps off the 18th floor of a building, it makes one hell of a mess, and I am sure everyone in the neighborhood hears about it. That's the thing, I can't think of it ever happening where I come from, but it happens almost weekly around here?

Perhaps it is because of the type of person who comes to Thailand? I don't believe people who move to Thailand are particularly representative of the greater world population.

That might explain why they might want to kill themselves, it doesn't explain how they tend to do it in such extraordinary ways, such as jumping off buildings, and hanging themselves from doorknobs? Last week in Phuket there was a report of a guy who "slipped and fell while trying to rig a nylon rope to a tree", what an unfortunate thing to have happened .. At Freedom Beach, where a security guard had apparently taken his own life a few days earlier, and a newspaper man was slain by an assassin .the day before that .. all apparently over a land dispute at Freedom Beach? Amazing ... isn't it?

[pacovl46]

Isn't Red Bull not originated in TH? Krating Daeng

It's based on Krating Daeng, but the Austrian guy modified the ingredients to suit the taste of westerners and then founded the red bull company and formed a partnership with the Thai guy who invented Krating Daeng.

[pacovl46]

What's with all the murder theories simply because he was naked??? If someone really wants to commit suicide then wearing or not wearing clothes is probably the last thing on their mind.

[dbaron]

Too many people (farang) die in Thailand for supposed suicide.

About time the authorities did something abount serious investigation.

I have been to Thailand 8 times in the last 6 years and can honestly say the police are useless.

No way are all these people suiciding just does not happen anywhere else in the world.

Just Thailand with their corrupt cops for murder and turn a blind eye.

Other parts of asia are also corrupt but not like Thailand

[Rimmer]

I have just removed some racist posts and other flippant nonesense.

[sexy man]

well if i had an incurable cancer i would take a fatal amount of sleeping pills washed down with copious amounts of alcohol and lie down and go to sleep

[koto]

Maybe this is why Thais let foreigners buy condos here. Does not sound like suicide to me. Where else do you hear of people falling from a condo to end it all. Something wrong but the police have their excuse not to bother to investigate I guess. All nice and cleanly wrapped up!!!!!!!

I don't understand what relationship there is between a foreigner buying a condo and suicide. What are you implying?

If someone jumps from his balcony, what is so difficult to understand?

Aloha

Many of these condos guard rails are to low and if one more rail isn't added, a tall person can and do fall over them, usually drunk or drugged, in this gentlemens case, fear, anger, pain he could have jumped. I find at 73 with Hep-C and living on the 17TH floor, when I start to get to sick to keep on truckin and can't find some morphine to OD on, I might take the plunge, back side, so not seen by anyone except guard and I probably will be wearing my best, if I'm not to lost with-in.

I find many men come here to fill their dreams with a young lady and to die.

When the pain outweighs the pleasure, it might be time to end our movie.

[jshorts]

well if i had an incurable cancer i would take a fatal amount of sleeping pills washed down with copious amounts of alcohol and lie down and go to sleep

Thanks for sharing.

[thaiIand]

pretty sure 90% of suicides by jump are always on bridges in western civilization. Most of them hope to survive and finaly get help.

thats why most people are not believing its a suicide. Balcony splatering is an asian thing.

[waza]

Maybe this is why Thais let foreigners buy condos here. Does not sound like suicide to me. Where else do you hear of people falling from a condo to end it all. Something wrong but the police have their excuse not to bother to investigate I guess. All nice and cleanly wrapped up!!!!!!!

I don't understand what relationship there is between a foreigner buying a condo and suicide. What are you implying?

If someone jumps from his balcony, what is so difficult to understand?

Aloha

Many of these condos guard rails are to low and if one more rail isn't added, a tall person can and do fall over them, usually drunk or drugged, in this gentlemens case, fear, anger, pain he could have jumped. I find at 73 with Hep-C and living on the 17TH floor, when I start to get to sick to keep on truckin and can't find some morphine to OD on, I might take the plunge, back side, so not seen by anyone except guard and I probably will be wearing my best, if I'm not to lost with-in.

I find many men come here to fill their dreams with a young lady and to die.

When the pain outweighs the pleasure, it might be time to end our movie.

So why would a billionaire come to Thailand for this? I fi was him I would spend my life with Ms December the playmate of the year not Ms Conbahnock and I would choose a less terrifying way to go, like drinking coolaid.

[koto]

Too many people (farang) die in Thailand for supposed suicide.

About time the authorities did something abount serious investigation.

I have been to Thailand 8 times in the last 6 years and can honestly say the police are useless.

No way are all these people suiciding just does not happen anywhere else in the world.

Just Thailand with their corrupt cops for murder and turn a blind eye.

Other parts of asia are also corrupt but not like Thailand

Aloha

Where else do so many older Farangs come to spend their last years, doing what they always wanted, getting laid by beautiful young girls, less expensive, many come to pooped to pop and to old to scold, sick, alcoholics on their last leg, some broke, broken hearted, disowned by familys back home.

Sounds like the last hurrah to me, a different breed of man comes to Thailand, many lokkin for love in all the wrong places, some find, most don't.

At least that's what I have seen, learned in my 11+ years here from Buriram to Mae Hong Son.

Thailand is a priceless place if you know when to hold-em and when to fold-em.

[FarangBuddha]

Truly sad that death seemed the only recourse here. Rest in peace.

Sorry to be the one to have to inform you but it's the only recourse for everyone...some just get there a little sooner than others.

[jshorts]

Maybe this is why Thais let foreigners buy condos here. Does not sound like suicide to me. Where else do you hear of people falling from a condo to end it all. Something wrong but the police have their excuse not to bother to investigate I guess. All nice and cleanly wrapped up!!!!!!!

I don't understand what relationship there is between a foreigner buying a condo and suicide. What are you implying?

If someone jumps from his balcony, what is so difficult to understand?

Aloha

Many of these condos guard rails are to low and if one more rail isn't added, a tall person can and do fall over them, usually drunk or drugged, in this gentlemens case, fear, anger, pain he could have jumped. I find at 73 with Hep-C and living on the 17TH floor, when I start to get to sick to keep on truckin and can't find some morphine to OD on, I might take the plunge, back side, so not seen by anyone except guard and I probably will be wearing my best, if I'm not to lost with-in.

I find many men come here to fill their dreams with a young lady and to die.

When the pain outweighs the pleasure, it might be time to end our movie.

So why would a billionaire come to Thailand for this? I fi was him I would spend my life with Ms December the playmate of the year not Ms Conbahnock and I would choose a less terrifying way to go, like drinking coolaid.

Are you really trying to analyze the thinking of a man with cancer?

[visions]

If you do your research, there are several high success cures for most types of cancer. But the Big Phama block any recognition and smother the documented clinical tests etc. Why? because the drugs that cure cancer are not patentable so no profits for the drug companies. They are not interested in a cure for cancer as then the patient doesnt need high priced ongoing medication, that treats (maybe) the symptom but does not cure.

Last Feb 2010 after major surgery to remove cancer growths, I was given a few months to live ( 3 different opinions) from one of the most aggressive of cancers......unless I submitted to chemo. Then I may get another month or so. After some research I found out that any lengthening of life was firstly at the expense of a general happy life until the cancer took over again. The chemo poisoned the body so much that many other organs fail so u usually die of another organ failure. The medical profession take this as success!! as the patient didnt die of cancer!! Hell they should be up for murder!

I finally, as the cancer was taking me down again, luckily got on to one of the cures available.......and now, while I am not cancer free yet.....I am well on the road to full recovery. The pain from the cancer disappeared within less than 2 weeks!! Within a couple of months I expect to be 100% cancer free. No harmful side effects!!! And no huge medical bills!! I am not religious nor a doctor and have no documented proof (yet, that is coming) that I am cured......but my body has responded so quickly in such a positive way all I can say is ....Thank God.

If anyone wants further info PM me.

[wxyz]

Where is the SUICIDE NOTE?

Edited February 6, 2012 by wxyz

[dude007]

There seems to be an implication from the article that this was suicide over health issues.

I don't know. If I were about to throw myself off a balcony to "end it all," I don't think I'd do it naked?

Regardless, RIP, Mr. Schmidberger.

I share your view! If someone wants to end his life, why should he first undress? What is the purpose of this act? I suspect more than suicide...

But let's keep it clean as the moderators asked for. It's deeply regretted but very suspicious!

[BigJohnnyBKK]

It is, indeed, a cowardly act.

Jerk - how about some pity rather than disdain? And who are you to judge, if someone chooses to end their life that's their decision.

Not that I think this is actually suicide anyway, seems to be the standard way to dispatch troublesome farang in Pattaya, must be dozens per month given the ones that don't make the press we see, dangerous place to live.

And the connection with wealth is obvious - that much more motivation; even if it isn't a case of "follow the money", a rich man has more opportunities to seriously interfere with powerful evil people, and more likely to be mixing in those circles.

Formula to happiness in the LOS: keep your lifestyle low to the ground, keep your head down, don't mess with anyone's rice bowl, if you're rich keep it secret.

[Foggy Dew]

Nothing about Mr. Harald Schmidberger death in the news here in Ireland. Done a quick google search and not much about Harald Schmidberger and Red Bull. I thought there would be much more about him if he is MD of Red Bull. He had 1 connection in LinkedIn. Did find an article from July 2001 saying that Mr. Harald Schmidberger is the sole importer of the drink in Kenya. RIP

[george]

Nothing about Mr. Harald Schmidberger death in the news here in Ireland. Done a quick google search and not much about Harald Schmidberger and Red Bull. I thought there would be much more about him if he is MD of Red Bull. He had 1 connection in LinkedIn. Did find an article from July 2001 saying that Mr. Harald Schmidberger is the sole importer of the drink in Kenya. RIP

Here is another news source in Thai:

http://www.khaosod.co.th/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNeU9EVXdOekEyTVE9PQ==&sectionid=

[connda]

Note to self. Book hotel rooms no higher that second floor whilst staying in Pattaya.

[george]

Here another update from Nation Channel, in Thai language:

http://breakingnews....356&lang=T&cat=

and here another story in Thai language:

http://www.naewna.co...s.asp?ID=299886

[wxyz]

Here another update from Nation Channel, in Thai language:

http://breakingnews....356〈=T&cat=

and here another story in Thai language:

http://www.naewna.co...s.asp?ID=299886

They say he left a note in English and Thai?

Supposedly over an 800,000 baht hospital bill, doubtful.

That also seems strange as does jumping to your death naked.

There are plenty of painless ways to check out,

Have to rename Pattaya/Thailand 'Hotel California', you can check out any time you'd like but you can never leave.

He should have watched this film.

"Leaving Las Vegas" (1995)

For the public record, I did not commit suicide, should I be found dead in Thailand.

Edited February 6, 2012 by wxyz

[sirchai]

This is becoming all too common in Pattaya and sadly the Police seem to put them all down to suicide. Investigations are needed to shed some light on these incidents.

Please see:

http://rick-allthing...g.blogspot.com/

Edited February 6, 2012 by Rimmer
Commercial links removed

[KeyserSoze01]

The usual arguments from the usual suspects.

Let's look at the information provided. A foreign national, who was a managing director for one of the world's most successful companies travels to Thailand where he owns a condo in sin city by the sea. He becomes depressed, possibly due to a medical condition. Due to his depressed state, some surmise that he took his own life in a most horrible way.

Once again, I don't buy the story. A person of this stature, with resources available would not end their life in this way. Anyone who attains this level in a global corporation has ego, drive, desire, a will to succeed and self respect. The last item, self respect, would prevent a person from doing this to themselves, knowing that it would destory any image this person held with friends, family, co-workers. Their legacy would be that of a person so weak, that they took their own life, laying naked on the ground.

I'm going with the canned story that he was intoxicated and either fell over the railing or was pushed. The fact that he was naked makes me lean toward his being pushed.

[TimPartridge]

Look past the obvious jokes and consider for a moment what this guy has done in the last 15 years for adventure and extreme sports. He sponsored activities that other companies were too scared to become associated with.

Let's hope that his spirit lives on and remember him as a man who gave many people the opportunities to pursue extreme sports and achieve their dreams.

Thanks Harald - thinking of you tonight..

Edited February 6, 2012 by Rimmer
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[bhatmasterson]

I am to the point where when I read about an alleged suicide by jumping, I'm surprised if the deceased was wearing clothes at the time of his demise. Yes. A great number of people in the west commit suicide by jumping. But I don't remember the last time I read of a single one of them doing it naked.

There appears to be some unseen force in Thailand that makes foreign men disrobe before calmly stepping oft to meet their final destiny. It happens this way far too often IMO.

So there was medicine at the scene. It doesn't take a genius to plant medicine that would suggest a person is terminally ill. An antagonist with money and the right connections could probably make a prescription look pretty official.

I agree with everyone who thinks there is something wrong with the official story. There is definitely room for doubt.

[bitterbatter]

Suicide by jumping off a building, it is pretty rare outside of Thailand isn't it? Whether clothed or naked, I just don't hear of it happening on such a large scale anywhere else?

It happens a lot on Wall Street. Not to mention the 150 disgrunteld employess in China that threatened to jump from the factory roof where they make iPhones for slave wages.

As for the man in this article. Sorry he chose this way to end it. I honestly don't understand why they published the particular fact that he was naked. Seems quite impolite and unnecessary.

Edited February 6, 2012 by bitterbatter

[wxyz]

I am to the point where when I read about an alleged suicide by jumping, I'm surprised if the deceased was wearing clothes at the time of his demise. Yes. A great number of people in the west commit suicide by jumping. But I don't remember the last time I read of a single one of them doing it naked.

There appears to be some unseen force in Thailand that makes foreign men disrobe before calmly stepping oft to meet their final destiny. It happens this way far too often IMO.

So there was medicine at the scene. It doesn't take a genius to plant medicine that would suggest a person is terminally ill. An antagonist with money and the right connections could probably make a prescription look pretty official.

I agree with everyone who thinks there is something wrong with the official story. There is definitely room for doubt.

Exactly, and if he had pills, he could have used them to off himself with some alcohol, why get naked and jump, very strange. Hell, just a few viagra and alcohol can take you out pretty cleanly and painlessly.

Edited February 6, 2012 by wxyz

[vahack]

a lot of assumptions that it was suicide because of cancer. i didnt read that in the article.

all i read is another farang falls to his death from a pattaya balcony.

[jshorts]

Where is the SUICIDE NOTE?

Why do you feel there has to be a suicide note?