Popular DJ Josh Ezell dies in Phuket bike smash

[webfact]

Popular DJ Josh Ezell dies in Phuket bike smash
Eakkapop Thongtub


Josh Ezell, from his Facebook page

PHUKET: -- DJ and American expat Josh Ezell was killed in a motorbike crash in Srisoonthorn district in Thalang around 7am today (February 28).

Mr Ezell, 42, originally from San Francisco, had moved recently to the island from Bangkok. Last year he started working as a DJ at Surin Beach’s Diamond Beach Club, where he stayed until about one month ago.

He first moved to Thailand in 2001, taking up the position of Head Resident DJ and Entertainment Director at Bangkok’s Bed Supperclub in 2002.

In November 2000, Josh was commissioned to organise and deejay the ACA World Sound Festival outside Acapulco, Mexico, where he stage-managed and deejayed with Moby, Carl Cox, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Danny Tenaglia, LTJ Bukem and Jazzanova.

Phuket DJ Tom “Tank” Somsanuk said he knew Mr Ezell when they both worked in Bangkok, where Mr Ezell was one of the top DJs in the city.

“He was a very talented DJ. He just became a dad, and he was so proud and happy to be a new father. He really had a lot going for him. He was a really cool dude. This is so sad.”

DJ Kensho, aka Mat Vinyl, told The Phuket News that Mr Ezell was highly respected in the industry, especially in Bangkok.

“He was one of the pioneers in the early days of the Bangkok club scene. So many people know him and have worked with him. Especially at Bed Supperclub – he was one of the first DJs there.”

Thalang police said the crash happened near Kokmoo curve and The Valley in Srisoonthorn district when Mr Ezell, on a motorbike, was in collision with a tour bus.

The bus driver, Isara Lalamkon, 47, told police he was driving from Cherng Talay to pick up a group of Chinese tourists at Koh Siray. The bus and the motorbike, both travelling the same way, collided on a bend, Mr Isara said.

Mr Isara was taken to Thalang Police Station and is being questioned about the crash.

Mr Ezell’s body was taken to Thalang Hospital.

Additional reporting by Claire Connell

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/popular-dj-josh-ezell-dies-in-phuket-bike-smash-44880.php


-- Phuket News 2014-03-01

[simon43]

RIP

I can count several friends of mine who have died young - all killed whilst riding motorbikes in Phuket

[LivinginKata]

RIP - yet another DJ in a fatal bike crash. Strange that both vehicle going same way. A lot more to be explained.

[Borzandy]

RIP.

Easy to explain, they were both travelling the same way, suddenly the bus driver cut the corner and smashed the bike, as usual.

[Andre0720]

''Tomorrow is promised to no one''

Another reminder.

Unfortunate that it came from a young successful happy father...

[bonobo]

RIP.

Easy to explain, they were both travelling the same way, suddenly the bus driver cut the corner and smashed the bike, as usual.

I have no idea what happened in this case, but near my home, I have had a number of close calls at a left-turning L bend in the road. I stay in my lane, but motorcyclists, one with two adults and two kids, almost always cut the corner into my lane. I've had to slam on my breaks and stop mid-turn in order to stop them from hitting me. None of them have stopped, of course. If I had been going full speed into the turn, I think there would have been more than a few collisions.

Regardless of who was at fault, RIP, Josh.

[mamypoko]

RIP local brother :-(

[jackcorbett]

It is very plain to me that the tour bus driver either gunned down the motorcyclist from the rear or that he sideswiped him. Too many times here in Pattaya I've had tour buses go right at me either from the front or the rear. Not to mention a friend who is now brain damaged due to a tour bus colliding with his motorbike as he was taking his son to the Siricha Tiger Zoo.

The huge proliferation of tour buses, is due mostly to what I call "The Fearless Leader Kick Back to Beijing Syndrome". First off here in Pattaya I've noticed that nearly all passengers in the tour buses prowling around at night in search of restaurants, shopping and entertainment spots are Chinese. Each of these tour buses has a guide. Whenever possible he is going to direct the bus and his passengers to favored designations whose owners kick back commissions to him for whatever his passengers buy. He in turn sends the kickbacks to his bosses in China. I even had a Thai beer bar owner tell me that one night a Chinese man ventured into her bar. She asked him if he wanted a beer, and he said he had to wait until the tour guide came. When the fearless leader came in with the rest of his Chinese Army he asked the bar owner for a special price for his minions---120 baht a beer. The bar owner was selling beer for 80 baht so the tour guide was going to spit the overcharge with her.

This of course is being done all over Asia. Back in 1983 I got pretty close to our young Hong Kong tour guide who accompanied us to Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. He'd take us to all these little cultural outings many of which we actually in the tour brochure. For example there was glass blowing and a Jade handicrafts factory, and naturally there was a small showroom where the tourists could all buy glass and jade items at inflated prices. But Larry didn't get to keep all the kickbacks for himself. His boss back in Hong Kong got to rake it all in to help him pay for his two Rolls Royces he had at his large home on Victoria Peak.

Needless to say with the huge explosion of Chinese tourists we can expect a lot more deaths to be dealt out by these irresponsible tour bus drivers not to mention the huge traffic congestion that is only going to get worse as the number of Chinese tourists continues to explode. Right now there's about an equal number of Russian tourists as there are Chinese. The difference is you won't see many Russians on these tour buses that have become a scourge to Thailand's cities.

[rhythmworx]

R.I.P brother, rock them tunes up in the heavens and keep everybody happy.

[orosee]

It is very plain to me that the tour bus driver either gunned down the motorcyclist from the rear or that he sideswiped him. Too many times here in Pattaya I've had tour buses go right at me either from the front or the rear. Not to mention a friend who is now brain damaged due to a tour bus colliding with his motorbike as he was taking his son to the Siricha Tiger Zoo.

The huge proliferation of tour buses, is due mostly to what I call "The Fearless Leader Kick Back to Beijing Syndrome". First off here in Pattaya I've noticed that nearly all passengers in the tour buses prowling around at night in search of restaurants, shopping and entertainment spots are Chinese. Each of these tour buses has a guide. Whenever possible he is going to direct the bus and his passengers to favored designations whose owners kick back commissions to him for whatever his passengers buy. He in turn sends the kickbacks to his bosses in China. I even had a Thai beer bar owner tell me that one night a Chinese man ventured into her bar. She asked him if he wanted a beer, and he said he had to wait until the tour guide came. When the fearless leader came in with the rest of his Chinese Army he asked the bar owner for a special price for his minions---120 baht a beer. The bar owner was selling beer for 80 baht so the tour guide was going to spit the overcharge with her.

This of course is being done all over Asia. Back in 1983 I got pretty close to our young Hong Kong tour guide who accompanied us to Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. He'd take us to all these little cultural outings many of which we actually in the tour brochure. For example there was glass blowing and a Jade handicrafts factory, and naturally there was a small showroom where the tourists could all buy glass and jade items at inflated prices. But Larry didn't get to keep all the kickbacks for himself. His boss back in Hong Kong got to rake it all in to help him pay for his two Rolls Royces he had at his large home on Victoria Peak.

Needless to say with the huge explosion of Chinese tourists we can expect a lot more deaths to be dealt out by these irresponsible tour bus drivers not to mention the huge traffic congestion that is only going to get worse as the number of Chinese tourists continues to explode. Right now there's about an equal number of Russian tourists as there are Chinese. The difference is you won't see many Russians on these tour buses that have become a scourge to Thailand's cities.

t

It is "very plain" that you just needed to rant about "Chinese people". Perhaps start another thread for that?

Edited March 1, 2014 by orosee

[hansgruber]

42 is too young to die but it's too old to be a DJ.

RIP Guy.

[laobali]

It is very plain to me that the tour bus driver either gunned down the motorcyclist from the rear or that he sideswiped him. Too many times here in Pattaya I've had tour buses go right at me either from the front or the rear. Not to mention a friend who is now brain damaged due to a tour bus colliding with his motorbike as he was taking his son to the Siricha Tiger Zoo.

The huge proliferation of tour buses, is due mostly to what I call "The Fearless Leader Kick Back to Beijing Syndrome". First off here in Pattaya I've noticed that nearly all passengers in the tour buses prowling around at night in search of restaurants, shopping and entertainment spots are Chinese. Each of these tour buses has a guide. Whenever possible he is going to direct the bus and his passengers to favored designations whose owners kick back commissions to him for whatever his passengers buy. He in turn sends the kickbacks to his bosses in China. I even had a Thai beer bar owner tell me that one night a Chinese man ventured into her bar. She asked him if he wanted a beer, and he said he had to wait until the tour guide came. When the fearless leader came in with the rest of his Chinese Army he asked the bar owner for a special price for his minions---120 baht a beer. The bar owner was selling beer for 80 baht so the tour guide was going to spit the overcharge with her.

This of course is being done all over Asia. Back in 1983 I got pretty close to our young Hong Kong tour guide who accompanied us to Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. He'd take us to all these little cultural outings many of which we actually in the tour brochure. For example there was glass blowing and a Jade handicrafts factory, and naturally there was a small showroom where the tourists could all buy glass and jade items at inflated prices. But Larry didn't get to keep all the kickbacks for himself. His boss back in Hong Kong got to rake it all in to help him pay for his two Rolls Royces he had at his large home on Victoria Peak.

Needless to say with the huge explosion of Chinese tourists we can expect a lot more deaths to be dealt out by these irresponsible tour bus drivers not to mention the huge traffic congestion that is only going to get worse as the number of Chinese tourists continues to explode. Right now there's about an equal number of Russian tourists as there are Chinese. The difference is you won't see many Russians on these tour buses that have become a scourge to Thailand's cities.

"Needless to say" (but you did anyway).

So what's the solution? Ban tour buses, tour guides or tourists altogether - particularly Chinese ones? Or motorbikes?

[LivinginKata]

Former Diamond Beach Club DJ dies in Phuket motorbike crash

Phuket Gazette - Friday, February 28, 2014 7:22:00 PM

Josh Christian Ezell, from California, had announced yesterday on his Facebook page that he would be retiring from his career as a DJ. Photo: Facebook / Josh Christian Ezell

• 
• 
• 
• 

PHUKET: A former resident DJ at Diamond Beach Club was killed in a motorbike accident after an encounter on a curve with a Phuket tour bus this morning on Srisoonthorn Road.

The 42-year-old American, Josh Christian Ezell, announced on his Facebook page earlier that day that he would be retiring from his career as a disc jokey.

Mr Ezell’s body was recovered next to a motorbike about three kilometers away from Heroines’ Monument, near the Valley Village, by Thalang Police and Kusoldharm rescue workers.

“We believe Mr Ezell struck his head on the ground and died from head trauma. There was no helmet found at the scene,” said Kittipoom Tinthalang of the Thalang Police.

Not far from the scene was a white Somsak Transport tour bus, which police believe caused the accident went it overtook Mr Ezell on a curve.

“I was driving the bus from the company in Cherng Talay to Phuket Town to pick up a group of Chinese tourists in Koh Sirey,” said Itsara Lalamkon, the bus driver.

“The foreigner was driving his motorbike in front of me, going very fast. When I passed him on the curve, he lost control of the motorbike and fell.”

Police seized Itsara’s licence and brought him to the station for more questioning, as they believe he side-swiped the victim.

Officers are also questioning eyewitnesses, said Lt Col Kittipoom.

"We all at Diamond Beach Club are very saddened and shocked by the news of Josh Christian Ezelle's recent passing," Diamond Beach Club posted on Facebook today. "Our deepest condolences are with his family and friends during this extremely difficult time. During his time here, he was a very happy & kind soul. He will be missed by many. Rest in peace Josh Christian Ezelle."

DJ Ezell is the second well-known Phuket DJ to die in a motorbike crash within the last two months. On January 12, the island lost Paul Norris, better known as DJ Doris (storyhere).

source :http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Former-Diamond-Beach-Club-DJ-dies-in-Phuket-motorbike-crash-26715.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2014-03-01

[smileydude]

This is why as much as I love Harley's I do not ride them. I'd rather have metal surrounding me in an event of a collision then me surrounding the metal.

RIP. The DJ world has lost another talent and someone a father, husband and son.

[LivinginKata]

A much better report by the PG.

I find this statement by the bus driver interesting ...

“The foreigner was driving his motorbike in front of me, going very fast. When I passed him on the curve, he lost control of the motorbike and fell.”

So if the bike was going very fast, how fast was the bus going when overtaking ?

[fatdrunkandstupid]

I ride that strip pf road every day. There is no bike lane on the inside. The bus overtook Josh and misjudged the clearance.

In the west the bus driver would be charged with Negligent Manslaughter and get 25 years in prison.

Here in Thailand he will be back on the road tomorrow.

[reptile91602]

If you drive a motorbike in Thailand you are 100% responsible to watch out every second for any traffic around you. the bus and truck drivers are not educated and have learned driving from the dogs on the street primarily. They are most often on Ya ba and are crazy. they don't care about you and will often times go after you for fun. But at best they are not good drivers and never will be here in this country. Please watch out.

[steelepulse]

A much better report by the PG.

I find this statement by the bus driver interesting ...

“The foreigner was driving his motorbike in front of me, going very fast. When I passed him on the curve, he lost control of the motorbike and fell.”

So if the bike was going very fast, how fast was the bus going when overtaking ?

I too find this very disturbing. Bus driver tries to implicate Josh by saying he was going to fast, yet being the genius that he is, the driver then says he overtook the rider and the rider lost control. Guaranteed the driver cut back over and knocked Josh off. RIP Josh.

[spidermike007]

I ride that strip pf road every day. There is no bike lane on the inside. The bus overtook Josh and misjudged the clearance.

In the west the bus driver would be charged with Negligent Manslaughter and get 25 years in prison.

Here in Thailand he will be back on the road tomorrow.

Very rarely is anybody charged with anything here. One wonders what the police do, day and night here. So few are arrested, that deserve to be arrested. It is so uncommon, and there is such a lack of talent here with regard to detectives, forensics, labs, etc. a great shame on the central govt. for not investing the money in law enforcement, and the talent needed to put away bus drivers like this one, who was most likely at fault, nor disco owners who cause deaths, nor sons of billionaires, who run over cops, nor corrupt politicians. One can pretty much do whatever they want here, without the fear of the law.

Mike Macarelli

Chaiyaphum, Thailand

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[belg]

RIP

motorbike = donorbike

in every country, but specially here, 80% of the 26.000 annual deaths

[rwdrwdrwd]

A much better report by the PG.

I find this statement by the bus driver interesting ...

“The foreigner was driving his motorbike in front of me, going very fast. When I passed him on the curve, he lost control of the motorbike and fell.”

So if the bike was going very fast, how fast was the bus going when overtaking ?

I too find this very disturbing. Bus driver tries to implicate Josh by saying he was going to fast, yet being the genius that he is, the driver then says he overtook the rider and the rider lost control. Guaranteed the driver cut back over and knocked Josh off. RIP Josh.

It's scathing isn't it - motorbike in front going 'very fast' and he decides that the best thing to do is to go faster (since 'obviously' the bigger vehicle just 'has' be first in Thailand) and overtake on a corner!? RIP

Given how motorbikes handle at speed on corners, and how buses handle at speed on corners, one can only imagine how dangerously the bus was driving.

Edited March 1, 2014 by rwdrwdrwd

[Benmart]

RIP - yet another DJ in a fatal bike crash. Strange that both vehicle going same way. A lot more to be explained.

Not really strange at all. I've Investigated several collisions where both vehicles were heading in the same direction. Speed, inattentive driving, unfamiliarity with the roadway, distractions, mechanical problems, under the influence of substances, etc., can be contributing factors.

Aside from that, RIP dear man. Drive safely everyone, and do think twice when getting onto the roadway.

[LivinginKata]

Bus driver in Thailand - says it all. Many have poor driving skills, poor vehicle maintenance, tight schedule, lack of sleep, who knows what substances injested. I see them charging along the roads, no chance of stopping in an emergency.

[Benmart]

I ride that strip pf road every day. There is no bike lane on the inside. The bus overtook Josh and misjudged the clearance.

In the west the bus driver would be charged with Negligent Manslaughter and get 25 years in prison.

Here in Thailand he will be back on the road tomorrow.

I wasn't there, so I didn't see what happened. Thanks of the on scene report.

As for the "west", Negligent Manslaughter and 25 years. I've never been able to judge cases that haven't occurred, haven't been investigated, haven't been tried, etc. It seems rather hypothetical at best.

Now if one were to say that similar cases, that resulted in a conviction of Vehicular Manslaughter (or whatever the equivalent is in your country), could result in 25 years in prison. Perhaps that would be a bit more credible.

[Adeeos]

So let me get this straight,, they were going the SAME direction,,,(SAME LANE),,, "“The foreigner was driving his motorbike in front of me, going very fast. When I passed him on the curve, he lost control of the motorbike and fell.” SOOOO he was going VERY FAST,,, and you OVERTOOK him on a CURVE, IN A BUS!!!!! I'm no accident recreation specialist, but,,,,,,

Edited March 1, 2014 by Adeeos

[SanukJoeII]

Although feeling sorry for this lost life, I noticed the Police saying:

"and died from head trauma. There was no helmet found"

A helmet could have saved his life, maybe not, but a higher chance of survival.

You can see many farang driving motorbikes in a fashion that they would not dare at home: shirt-shorts-flipflops-no helmet!!!

What is the matter with farang, behaving like the Thais they have so flaming comments on?

Bad enough Thais drive like that, let farang behave as they would at home!

I ride mountain bike in rural Isan, around my village I don't wear a helmet, but as soon I reach the provincial road (not a highway) I wear a helmet, your head is not made to hit a pavement, you always lose.

RIP DJ

[steveyinasia]

Bus driver in Thailand - says it all. Many have poor driving skills, poor vehicle maintenance, tight schedule, lack of sleep, who knows what substances injested. I see them charging along the roads, no chance of stopping in an emergency.

And with the recent accident involving a bus that killed 15 people, many of them students, the bus driver only possessing a car license. It is sad that people are being killed on the roads here in unacceptable numbers most due to the negligence of rules and laws. We all know that nothing will change however it does not mean we are no saddened by the news of deaths on the road.

[grumpyoldman]

Bus driver in Thailand - says it all. Many have poor driving skills, poor vehicle maintenance, tight schedule, lack of sleep, who knows what substances injested. I see them charging along the roads, no chance of stopping in an emergency.

And with the recent accident involving a bus that killed 15 people, many of them students, the bus driver only possessing a car license. It is sad that people are being killed on the roads here in unacceptable numbers most due to the negligence of rules and laws. We all know that nothing will change however it does not mean we are no saddened by the news of deaths on the road.

Thus needing to be in your rearview mirrors at all times and get out of the way.

This last week I charged by a large filled dump truck creeping up the Kamala hill toward Kamala, on the way down when I saw that guy barrelling downhill coming up behind me fast, I pulled over.

RIP Josh, and everyone be safe out there, wear the dang helmet !

[andreandre]

Another unfortunate guy who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time..you can pass the blame all you like, but doesn't alter the fact..and doesn't undo what's done

RIP to the guy..

[freedom4life]

If you drive a motorbike in Thailand you are 100% responsible to watch out every second for any traffic around you. the bus and truck drivers are not educated and have learned driving from the dogs on the street primarily. They are most often on Ya ba and are crazy. they don't care about you and will often times go after you for fun. But at best they are not good drivers and never will be here in this country. Please watch out.

Finally, someone stating the obvious. DJ-buddy should of know this right off the bat. In addition, he wasn't wearing a helmet; which might of saved his life.