Norwegian Seriously injured in 2nd floor fall from Jomtien Hotel

[webfact]

Norwegian Seriously injured in 2nd floor fall from Jomtien Hotel



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Morning Police and rescue workers were called to a Hotel in Jomtien to investigate reports of a foreign man who had fallen from a low floor at the Hotel, but was seriously injured.

Arriving at the scene, medics attended to the 52 year old Norwegian who was lying underneath his 2nd floor apartment. He had sustained a serious head injury and was in a semi-conscious state.

Khun Nanglat aged 37 is the wife of a friend of the victim and told Police that the man was known to drink heavily and when drunk would become paranoid that someone wanted to kill him. It is thought this state of paranoia led him to jump off his 2nd floor balcony.

Full story: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/125657/norwegian-seriously-injured-in-2nd-floor-fall-from-jomtien-hotel/


-- Pattaya One 2014-04-21

[daveAustin]

Why is it always assumed people are attempting suicide? I reckon many of these 'jumpers' are likely accidents. Balconies in Thai hotels/condos are notoriously low and many farang are tall/overweight/like a drink. Not saying I'm either of the above but on many occasions have felt nervy when leaning against these low balconies as the weight shifts. Just sayin.

Hope he makes a full recovery.

[WoopyDoo]

Why is it always assumed people are attempting suicide? I reckon many of these 'jumpers' are likely accidents. Balconies in Thai hotels/condos are notoriously low and many farang are tall/overweight/like a drink. Not saying I'm either of the above but on many occasions have felt nervy when leaning against these low balconies as the weight shifts. Just sayin.

Hope he makes a full recovery.

I agree.

Balconies here are a lot more dangerous than those of th west which have a railing that is higherto accomodate taller people, and also most westerners have a lot of upper body mass compared with locals, and just leaning over a low railing especially when pissed can cause a person to flip over.

Which is why I refrain from even leaning over a Thai balcony. Probably two thirds of my boy weight is above my hips, and Thai balconies are about hip height to me.

That guy looks quite tall with a large upper body mass.

[Nielsk]

Balconies. So what ? Ignorant, stupid and drunk people die and have accidents in trafic too. Motorbikes and vehicles fault. No. Up to You to take care when possible.

[HeavyDrinker]

I had an extra rail put in the balcony of our Bangkok condo as t he existing barrier was just to darn low and gave me the heebies.

[kkup]

They should install trampolines at the base of all hotels in Pattaya and Phuket so they can bounce back into their room.

Edited April 21, 2014 by kkup

[anon467367354]

there really should be a warning that the balcony railings are lower than than those in countries that have building codes.

People are just not prepared for that and fall over them.

[Nielsk]

gr8fldanielle. Hope U are joking. We are not in a kindergarten. We are talking of adults where a mill. signs make no difference. Vaste of money.

[robert888d]

They are always suicides or accidents in Thailand. Nobody is ever pushed off the balcony !!!!!!!!

[lee b]

I like to drink alcohol, sometimes i have 1 too many. I enjoy sitting on our balcony, i have never thought of jumping though. The only way in the future that i would go over that top rail is if i was thrown over it. If this happens it would be down to my wife.

Although this story could be true, he might not have jumped, and to be honest all these balcony incidents seem to happen to foreign men that are quite old... Could there be a reason for it?? Emm??? Anyway hope the guy makes a full recovery, and next time gets a room on the ground floor.

[ggt]

"would become paranoid that someone wanted to kill him."

I wonder...if he reads Thaivisa everyday?

[Thaiready]

"I believe I can Fly....I believe I can touch the Sky"

[Rimmer]

Troll and off topic posts removed also quoted replies

[Morch]

Why is it always assumed people are attempting suicide? I reckon many of these 'jumpers' are likely accidents. Balconies in Thai hotels/condos are notoriously low and many farang are tall/overweight/like a drink. Not saying I'm either of the above but on many occasions have felt nervy when leaning against these low balconies as the weight shifts. Just sayin.

Hope he makes a full recovery.

Would be interesting to compare figures of similar incidents from other countries, or for that matter, balcony-related mishaps in Thailand that involve Thais.

[FinChin67]

gr8fldanielle. Hope U are joking. We are not in a kindergarten. We are talking of adults where a mill. signs make no difference. Vaste of money.

Okay, so we can take safety belts out from the cars too and stop using helmets.. Let's get rid of all building safety codes too so I can make more money when doing construction as I don't need to install all kinds of safety equipment etc..

[SOTIRIOS]

...always the ready with an explanation why nobody else is involved or to blame.....

...hopefully he will recover enough to get his version....

[godden]

The question is did he jump or was he pushed. Thailand #1 for jumpers.

[DD13]

Having observed the construction of condo blocks here, I would not risk leaning against any balcony here. I just don't feel that the balcony rails are anchored properly to the main fabric of the building, to give 100% safety......

As a Thai builder who does work for me says....."corruption here affects the quality in all aspects of building work in this country

And that, I am sad to say, will stop this lovely country moving forward at the pace of others.

Edited April 21, 2014 by DD13

[Nielsk]

gr8fldanielle. Hope U are joking. We are not in a kindergarten. We are talking of adults where a mill. signs make no difference. Vaste of money.

Okay, so we can take safety belts out from the cars too and stop using helmets.. Let's get rid of all building safety codes too so I can make more money when doing construction as I don't need to install all kinds of safety equipment etc..

What You talking about FinChin67 ?? You compare mentioned safety codes with a sign: "Do not lean out". You must be joking too. If not, then be careful You don't fall out from a balcony if no sign....

[LennyW]

The question is did he jump or was he pushed. Thailand #1 for jumpers.

And your factual source for this statistic please?

[Maroon Watcher]

From what I've seen balcony heights are 1/2 m Not the 1 metre they should be (39 inches)

Most have a "step-up" which means ALL I have seen are way undersized.

And No it's not expensive to add a rail to raise the centre of gravity protection he and many others need.

[thejcb]

Why is it always assumed people are attempting suicide? I reckon many of these 'jumpers' are likely accidents. Balconies in Thai hotels/condos are notoriously low and many farang are tall/overweight/like a drink. Not saying I'm either of the above but on many occasions have felt nervy when leaning against these low balconies as the weight shifts. Just sayin.

Hope he makes a full recovery.

Would be interesting to compare figures of similar incidents from other countries, or for that matter, balcony-related mishaps in Thailand that involve Thais.

No, that wouldn't be in the least bit interesting to anyone of reasonable intelligence

[TinoThailand]

Floor 2 is 1, in the west he would be dead or turned more and only brake a leg...

[FinChin67]

gr8fldanielle. Hope U are joking. We are not in a kindergarten. We are talking of adults where a mill. signs make no difference. Vaste of money.

Okay, so we can take safety belts out from the cars too and stop using helmets.. Let's get rid of all building safety codes too so I can make more money when doing construction as I don't need to install all kinds of safety equipment etc..

What You talking about FinChin67 ?? You compare mentioned safety codes with a sign: "Do not lean out". You must be joking too. If not, then be careful You don't fall out from a balcony if no sign....

No, not joking. I read your other post too.

Balconies. So what ? Ignorant, stupid and drunk people die and have accidents in trafic too. Motorbikes and vehicles fault. No. Up to You to take care when possible

Yes, there is personal responsibility and at no point I have not said otherwise. From your comments it's easy to understand that it is always the persons fault who falls. Why build any railings then? Why do we have ANY warning signs like for live wires etc.? Oh, you know what to touch and what not. Next time when you travel to a hotel or take a cruise please DO ignore all the signs.

[FinChin67]

From what I've seen balcony heights are 1/2 m Not the 1 metre they should be (39 inches)

Most have a "step-up" which means ALL I have seen are way undersized.

And No it's not expensive to add a rail to raise the centre of gravity protection he and many others need.

I have done that in several buildings. It's not only the height but how these are fastened/anchored to the floor and wall. In MANY cases the metal plates (or other systems) are just way too weak to hold a normal person. Weldings that are not properly done can crack easily too. Not to mention that sometimes when there is a party several people can lean over or push against the railing. You want these kid proof too..

Edited April 21, 2014 by FinChin67

[Gsxrnz]

Why is it always assumed people are attempting suicide? I reckon many of these 'jumpers' are likely accidents. Balconies in Thai hotels/condos are notoriously low and many farang are tall/overweight/like a drink. Not saying I'm either of the above but on many occasions have felt nervy when leaning against these low balconies as the weight shifts. Just sayin.

Hope he makes a full recovery.

Would be interesting to compare figures of similar incidents from other countries, or for that matter, balcony-related mishaps in Thailand that involve Thais.

According to these official statistics from the US http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/acc-inj.htm , the death rate from "unintentional falls" is 8.4 per 100,000. Only slightly less than deaths from traffic accidents at 10.9 per 100,000 and unintentional poisoning at 10.9 per 100,000.

If we assume there are 200,000 permanent western residents in Thailand, plus say 10 million tourists (50% of the TAT official tourist visitors of circa 20 million), then at least 30 western deaths in Thailand from balcony type falls per annum is probably within comparable statistical probability.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Gsxrnz

[DogNo1]

OMG! Another balcony fall! Is anyone keeping count? How many does that make this year?

[how241]

Why is it always assumed people are attempting suicide? I reckon many of these 'jumpers' are likely accidents. Balconies in Thai hotels/condos are notoriously low and many farang are tall/overweight/like a drink. Not saying I'm either of the above but on many occasions have felt nervy when leaning against these low balconies as the weight shifts. Just sayin.

Hope he makes a full recovery.

I agree.

Balconies here are a lot more dangerous than those of th west which have a railing that is higherto accomodate taller people, and also most westerners have a lot of upper body mass compared with locals, and just leaning over a low railing especially when pissed can cause a person to flip over.

Which is why I refrain from even leaning over a Thai balcony. Probably two thirds of my boy weight is above my hips, and Thai balconies are about hip height to me.

That guy looks quite tall with a large upper body mass.

+1....I agree.

[Maggusoil]

They should install trampolines at the base of all hotels in Pattaya and Phuket so they can bounce back into their room.

Nice thought but, yes. Its comedy. How about nets just below the balconies? They could be decorated with vines or something.

Seriously. Think about it. They would provide shade for the balcony below.

If this was Australia the government would be putting them in "building regulations".

[tubby johnson]

Balconies: deadlier than guns. What have us humans ever done to deserve this relentless persecution by balconies?

Ban all balconies! Round them up, off to the firing squad with them. Set packs of rabid dogs loose on those evil balconies.