German man brutally attacked in Udon Thani by 'Koh Tao copycats'

[JonnyF]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

So are you suggesting they just happened to have a garden hoe with them? It was just a coincidence that they had the same weapon as used in Koh Tao with them? Or they always walk around carrying a garden hoe, just in case they need to dig up some weeds at a moments notice? Naive is not a word I would describe for a post like yours but I can think of many others.

Great news to see the young German is recovering. Let's not try and blame him in any way for such a senseless attack.

[lostinisaan]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

Why are you trying to make things up? Not in everybody's interest what you believe and what not.

Are you trying to say that he provoked them by sitting in a park?

But your username a sort of protects you, Joe.

Why does my username protects me? YOU are lost in isaan; at least i know where I am.

What I was trying to say with my post is, that i just can't believe that people (human beings) randomly attack other people (human beings); in my perspective, only animals do that and even then there may be a reason to do so.

I am not saying that the German was provoking, but he might just have been the trigger to get rid of some frustration on the side of the attackers.

I apologize, as I was just referring to Pattaya, which isn't the real Thailand for me.

Such things always happen in Isaan, sometimes kids from a high school, or college fight bloody wars with guys from other schools.

I just sat at a noodle soup place in Sisaket with my family three days ago and watched a guy shooting with a gun and then disappeared.

Nobody got hurt, but such things happen pretty often. Their non existing education, no money, no chance to score having a good looking girl friend, etc might be the trigger to such actions.

Some human beings are even worse than some animals.

[Dogmatix]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

It's may be mixture between 'drive by' killings in the US where gang members have to proved their bravery by shooting an unknown person at random and racist neo nazi attacks on racial minorities in Europe.

[ExPratt]

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I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

It's may be mixture between 'drive by' killings in the US where gang members have to proved their bravery by shooting an unknown person at random and racist neo nazi attacks on racial minorities in Europe.

Not many Neo Nazi attacks attacks in London these days. I agree its done as a sign of "Bravery" . Although where many of us come from 3 of you beating up a bloke with a tool would have many calling them tossers . Its a shame all round, its amazing when you are young,pissed up and acting stupid you can ruin your whole life in one night

[joepattaya1961]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

Why are you trying to make things up? Not in everybody's interest what you believe and what not.

Are you trying to say that he provoked them by sitting in a park?

But your username a sort of protects you, Joe.

Why does my username protects me? YOU are lost in isaan; at least i know where I am.

What I was trying to say with my post is, that i just can't believe that people (human beings) randomly attack other people (human beings); in my perspective, only animals do that and even then there may be a reason to do so.

I am not saying that the German was provoking, but he might just have been the trigger to get rid of some frustration on the side of the attackers.

I apologize, as I was just referring to Pattaya, which isn't the real Thailand for me.

Agree on that one, but since there are a lot of people from Esan moving to Pattaya to find their "luck", those things happen here too, but they seem to be normal; no more reports in the media lately....no less either.

[loongdavid]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

Why are you trying to make things up? Not in everybody's interest what you believe and what not.

Are you trying to say that he provoked them by sitting in a park?

But your username a sort of protects you, Joe.

Why does my username protects me? YOU are lost in isaan; at least i know where I am.

What I was trying to say with my post is, that i just can't believe that people (human beings) randomly attack other people (human beings); in my perspective, only animals do that and even then there may be a reason to do so.

I am not saying that the German was provoking, but he might just have been the trigger to get rid of some frustration on the side of the attackers.

I apologize, as I was just referring to Pattaya, which isn't the real Thailand for me.

Such things always happen in Isaan, sometimes kids from a high school, or college fight bloody wars with guys from other schools.

I just sat at a noodle soup place in Sisaket with my family three days ago and watched a guy shooting with a gun and then disappeared.

Nobody got hurt, but such things happen pretty often. Their non existing education, no money, no chance to score having a good looking girl friend, etc might be the trigger to such actions.

Some human beings are even worse than some animals.

" I just sat at a noodle soup place in Sisaket with my family three days ago and watched a guy shooting with a gun and then disappeared. Nobody got hurt, but such things happen pretty often".

I have no idea what part of Si Sa Ket you live in but I can assure everyone that this quoted incident DOES NOT "...happen pretty often".

[loongdavid]

Agree on that one, but since there are a lot of people from Esan moving to Pattaya to find their "luck", those things happen here too, but they seem to be normal; no more reports in the media lately....no less either.

Just how many people do you know that have moved from Isaan to Pattaya?

[stephen terry]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

Utter nonsense, I met Michael and he is a very calm and reasonable guy. He also told me what happened and even taken with a big grain of salt, there would be nothing left "more to this story". I have met a lot of trouble makers and rough people in my life (as my nick might indicate) and I can assure you that your comment goes into the very wrong direction completely.

Just to add, if this happened to me and then I had to read your comment on top, I would start to doubt in mankind seriously.

Would you be willing to post a summary of Michael's account of what happened to provide us with a better understanding, and perhaps a reassurance that this was an isolated attack - or not? I would be interested in the exchanges that occurred at the beginning (warts and all), before the three Thai lads left for fifteen minutes. It might also stop spurious posts from second-guessing why it happened.

[EyesWideOpen]

We choose to live in remote, rural areas because we enjoy the peace and quiet without any perceived crime whatsoever. The absence of inebriated and obnoxious fools is also a big attraction. The people who should be very concerned appear to be those living in, or close to, the principal tourist areas.

Methinks many of you chaps living in these remote areas were cajoled into going there by your lady. Can you honestly tell us before you came to Thailand your goal was to live in an upcountry village?

Haha nice one !! :-) Yes, it is a bar girl dream to hook up with a farang, move back to

her village, build a two story house, and then be queen of the village. Cannot imagine

any farang on their first time here dreaming of living in a village and watching

buffaloes walk by all day.....This continues to be one of the mysteries of Thailand for me.

Udon Thani is a fairly large town, have been there many times. But every girl I met

that said she was from there, is really from a small village outside of town....

Edited November 19, 2014 by EyesWideOpen

[jacky54]

Wow, amazing! Do we know anything about the motives for this? Looks like Thailand starts to become like the US.. plenty of brutal lunetics all over the place who could kill you any minute.

The motive, according to the Thai language police statements, was that he, the German, looked at them in the wrong way.

So they went off, found a hoe and tried to beat him to death, so very Thai! It's usually said don't argue with a Thai, as if they are not capable of an argument without resorting to violence, now you cannot even look at them without it. lets face it they just do not like us, they may envy our money, industry and advanced cultures, but deep down they resent us.

Edited November 19, 2014 by jacky54

[jacky54]

There are so many farang in Udon Thani I can understand why the local youth don't like them. most are beer-guzzling elderlies with young country women. These 'wairoon' have no chance to find a decent girlfriend.

Rubbish most falang married bar girls that no Thai wants anyway. They should be grateful for falangs who take care of other peoples kids (thai) and who have pumped millions into the local economy, bit they are not, and here they attempted to murder one because he looked at them in the 'wrong way'.

[EyesWideOpen]

There are so many farang in Udon Thani I can understand why the local youth don't like them. most are beer-guzzling elderlies with young country women. These 'wairoon' have no chance to find a decent girlfriend.

Rubbish most falang married bar girls that no Thai wants anyway. They should be grateful for falangs who take care of other peoples kids (thai) and who have pumped millions into the local economy, bit they are not, and here they attempted to murder one because he looked at them in the 'wrong way'.

Agreed. The old farang guy strutting around with his bar girl wife is thinking wow those

Thai guys must be really jealous of him. The Thai guys are looking back and thinking

man that farang must have rocks in his head to hook up with that worn out bar girl.

I have had many Thai guys ask me in amazement why wealthy farangs hook up with

worthless girls in the eyes of the Thai guys. I had no answer for them..

I have said it before, and I will say it again. If you get in a fight with some Thai guys,

you are in a fight for your life, as this guy found out. It is not a dominance struggle like

in the west. So act accordingly. Throw out the Queensbury rule book, and go jungle.

Hint, teeth are a great weapon....

Edited November 19, 2014 by EyesWideOpen

[grumbleweed]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

"Slightly naive" being your entry for understatement of the year yes? If not then Im afraid you've got bigger problems than a little slight naivity. And trying to define the logic in the rest of your statement is like trying to read spaghetti

[Docno]

10000 tourist arrivals? Really?? I think our perceptions get very distorted with TV as a news source. I just did a Google news search, and this story is only being picked up in the Thai media so far. Granted, it's still hot off the press. Let's see what happens over the next couple of days, but I wouldn't be surprised if it makes barely a ripple in the international media. Hard to compete with ISIS, ebola, and the Ukraine.

This story is running like crazy around all my friends and contacts on facebook. It is presumably quite big on German news.

I find this type of daylight random attack to be genuinely terrifying. I am very glad I have left. If it means one can't walk around because as a farang you are a target, what is the point in Thailand. Plenty of places with sunshine that are safer than that.

While we can't dismiss social media as a source of news, it's not easy to assess its impact. Yes, the story might spread across your FB contacts and friends, but your online friends probably share interests with you and so are not representative of the broader (western) public. If we're to believe that this story will reduce tourist arrivals by 10,000 (as claimed here), the story would 1) have to stick in the general consciousness of the 'traveling public' in the west and 2) would have to be interpreted as indicative of the threat generally faced by foreigners in Thailand. I'm not convinced that either of these will happen (though, yes, I could be wrong).

Well my friends reach pretty far and wide thoughout Asia, UK, Europe and the USA.

I get plenty of responses around any articles I like or share. People are wondering what the hell is going on in Thailand.

Just checked with a German friend who follows the German news media quite closely. He says the incident has not been reported in the German media as far as he can tell. Even if the story is making the rounds on FB, I greatly doubt it will result in the loss of 1000s of tourist arrivals.

[joepattaya1961]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

"Slightly naive" being your entry for understatement of the year yes? If not then Im afraid you've got bigger problems than a little slight naivity. And trying to define the logic in the rest of your statement is like trying to read spaghetti

Reading and quoting seems to be a problem too.........I said "slightly".........the slightly between "...." should say enough isn't it?

So, if my problem is my naivity, your problem is getting the facts straight.

[IgboChief]

Would you be willing to post a summary of Michael's account of what happened to provide us with a better understanding, and perhaps a reassurance that this was an isolated attack - or not? I would be interested in the exchanges that occurred at the beginning (warts and all), before the three Thai lads left for fifteen minutes. It might also stop spurious posts from second-guessing why it happened.

Stephen,

while I appreciate your kind interested and support, I would like to skip that one as I was not at the scene and do not know Michael for a long time and also do not feel, that this particular matter should be anyone's concern right now. Let the police do their job for good.

I think only Michael or his attorney should speak on his behalf. This kind of brute violence is never anyhow justified in any way, even if there was any kind of quarrel or dispute before.

What I can tell you for sure is this story A friend of mine was robbed at gun point at daylight in Sukhumvit Soi 78. She is Thai and does not stick out anyhow. There were also plenty of Thai people around, nobody helped her -- even after that incident, when she was left without money, phone and papers. Only when I guaranteed to pay back any loan (I was abroad at this time), people gave her some money to bridge a few days until my return.

So I do not think, it was anyhow an isolated event or even triggered by Michael, but just a bunch of drunk loosers spotting a "rich" but easy target.

I know a couple of nice (older) Thai people I would trust with my life. However, there is a grim reality under a shiny surface thinned by every day.

Cheers

Edited November 19, 2014 by IgboChief

[loongdavid]

We choose to live in remote, rural areas because we enjoy the peace and quiet without any perceived crime whatsoever. The absence of inebriated and obnoxious fools is also a big attraction. The people who should be very concerned appear to be those living in, or close to, the principal tourist areas.

Methinks many of you chaps living in these remote areas were cajoled into going there by your lady. Can you honestly tell us before you came to Thailand your goal was to live in an upcountry village?

Haha nice one !! :-) Yes, it is a bar girl dream to hook up with a farang, move back to

her village, build a two story house, and then be queen of the village. Cannot imagine

any farang on their first time here dreaming of living in a village and watching

buffaloes walk by all day.....This continues to be one of the mysteries of Thailand for me.

Udon Thani is a fairly large town, have been there many times. But every girl I met

that said she was from there, is really from a small village outside of town....

Sounds very much like you have learnt from experience - been there done that as they say. You obviously have an extremely distorted and biased view of Thai females judging them all by your bar-room experiences. You sound just like the very people I avoid like the plague and the very reason I live where I do.

[tingtongtourist]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

Why are you trying to make things up? Not in everybody's interest what you believe and what not.

Are you trying to say that he provoked them by sitting in a park?

But your username a sort of protects you, Joe.

Why does my username protects me? YOU are lost in isaan; at least i know where I am.

What I was trying to say with my post is, that i just can't believe that people (human beings) randomly attack other people (human beings); in my perspective, only animals do that and even then there may be a reason to do so.

I am not saying that the German was provoking, but he might just have been the trigger to get rid of some frustration on the side of the attackers.

I believe is built up rage from not being able to express or show anger and push all of it down as thai culture expects

When the red/yellow battle was on it did give them an outlet. Probably these types were on the front line and in the after, unfortunately its the violence that give them some release they need.sad.

take away the battle and the now the political enemy is not there to lash out on....

And who is left? Who is the minority and is different and most likely will be the victim because of some jealousy???

[joepattaya1961]

Agree on that one, but since there are a lot of people from Esan moving to Pattaya to find their "luck", those things happen here too, but they seem to be normal; no more reports in the media lately....no less either.

Just how many people do you know that have moved from Isaan to Pattaya?

Countless........there is Golf, Tee, Pen, Suthida, Nong, Purn, Somboon, Sarika, Beam, Songkram, Tae, Seksan, Miw, Nui, Nueng, Billy, Kitty and that are just a few people I know.........from Yasothon, Udon Thani, Amnat Charoen, Khon Kaen, Chan Yeun, Mahasarakham, Buriram, Ubon...........

Should I continue?

[loongdavid]

Agree on that one, but since there are a lot of people from Esan moving to Pattaya to find their "luck", those things happen here too, but they seem to be normal; no more reports in the media lately....no less either.

Just how many people do you know that have moved from Isaan to Pattaya?

Countless........there is Golf, Tee, Pen, Suthida, Nong, Purn, Somboon, Sarika, Beam, Songkram, Tae, Seksan, Miw, Nui, Nueng, Billy, Kitty and that are just a few people I know.........from Yasothon, Udon Thani, Amnat Charoen, Khon Kaen, Chan Yeun, Mahasarakham, Buriram, Ubon...........

Should I continue?

Yeah! right. Didn't want to lose face did we!

[EyesWideOpen]

We choose to live in remote, rural areas because we enjoy the peace and quiet without any perceived crime whatsoever. The absence of inebriated and obnoxious fools is also a big attraction. The people who should be very concerned appear to be those living in, or close to, the principal tourist areas.

Methinks many of you chaps living in these remote areas were cajoled into going there by your lady. Can you honestly tell us before you came to Thailand your goal was to live in an upcountry village?

Haha nice one !! :-) Yes, it is a bar girl dream to hook up with a farang, move back to

her village, build a two story house, and then be queen of the village. Cannot imagine

any farang on their first time here dreaming of living in a village and watching

buffaloes walk by all day.....This continues to be one of the mysteries of Thailand for me.

Udon Thani is a fairly large town, have been there many times. But every girl I met

that said she was from there, is really from a small village outside of town....

Sounds very much like you have learnt from experience - been there done that as they say. You obviously have an extremely distorted and biased view of Thai females judging them all by your bar-room experiences. You sound just like the very people I avoid like the plague and the very reason I live where I do.

Do you live in a two story cement house in a village?? No need to avoid me as I suspect we move

in very different circles. :-) And by the way, you are completely mistaken in my viewpoint.

( no surprise on ThaiVisa...) My simple point was that the bar girl is fulfilling her dream, and for

some reason the farang is going along with it....At no point did I extrapolate to all Thai females.

You did that.

" bar-room experiences".... wow nice jab !!! I have been to every province in Thailand

by motorcycle, and if I was a betting man, I would say that my experiences in Thailand

far outweigh yours. Wait does that make my viewpoints more valid than yours ????

Edited November 19, 2014 by EyesWideOpen

[joepattaya1961]

Agree on that one, but since there are a lot of people from Esan moving to Pattaya to find their "luck", those things happen here too, but they seem to be normal; no more reports in the media lately....no less either.

Just how many people do you know that have moved from Isaan to Pattaya?

Countless........there is Golf, Tee, Pen, Suthida, Nong, Purn, Somboon, Sarika, Beam, Songkram, Tae, Seksan, Miw, Nui, Nueng, Billy, Kitty and that are just a few people I know.........from Yasothon, Udon Thani, Amnat Charoen, Khon Kaen, Chan Yeun, Mahasarakham, Buriram, Ubon...........

Should I continue?

Yeah! right. Didn't want to lose face did we!

Have the freakin' guts to come down here, and I introduce you to all of them.........UNCLE David..

[angsta]

You've got to be worried if you happen to be an innocent Burmese worker living in the area.

Sorry - Quick edit.

[loongdavid]

Have the freakin' guts to come down here, and I introduce you to all of them.........UNCLE David..

How moronic and juvenile can one get.

[jpinx]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

Why are you trying to make things up? Not in everybody's interest what you believe and what not.

Are you trying to say that he provoked them by sitting in a park?

But your username a sort of protects you, Joe.

Why does my username protects me? YOU are lost in isaan; at least i know where I am.

What I was trying to say with my post is, that i just can't believe that people (human beings) randomly attack other people (human beings); in my perspective, only animals do that and even then there may be a reason to do so.

I am not saying that the German was provoking, but he might just have been the trigger to get rid of some frustration on the side of the attackers.

I believe is built up rage from not being able to express or show anger and push all of it down as thai culture expects

When the red/yellow battle was on it did give them an outlet. Probably these types were on the front line and in the after, unfortunately its the violence that give them some release they need.sad.

take away the battle and the now the political enemy is not there to lash out on....

And who is left? Who is the minority and is different and most likely will be the victim because of some jealousy???

Somebody once said that every country needs a war every generation........

[tingtongtourist]

I may be "slightly" naive, but I can't believe that just 3 teenagers just attacked the German and his friends out of just nothing; there must be more to this story.

The reason of "like to copy the Koh Thao murder" is utter BS; a bright example of Thais coming up with some reason to let them stand out better for the media; they should have told the real reason, but that would make them loose face big time.

Why are you trying to make things up? Not in everybody's interest what you believe and what not.

Are you trying to say that he provoked them by sitting in a park?

But your username a sort of protects you, Joe.

Why does my username protects me? YOU are lost in isaan; at least i know where I am.

What I was trying to say with my post is, that i just can't believe that people (human beings) randomly attack other people (human beings); in my perspective, only animals do that and even then there may be a reason to do so.

I am not saying that the German was provoking, but he might just have been the trigger to get rid of some frustration on the side of the attackers.

I believe is built up rage from not being able to express or show anger and push all of it down as thai culture expects

When the red/yellow battle was on it did give them an outlet. Probably these types were on the front line and in the after, unfortunately its the violence that give them some release they need.sad.

take away the battle and the now the political enemy is not there to lash out on....

And who is left? Who is the minority and is different and most likely will be the victim because of some jealousy???

Somebody once said that every country needs a war every generation........

Well Thailands not out of the wars yet i dont think.

The generals plan might help for now but is really only a band aid

A bit like boxing between rounds, when they get wiped off and pumped up, the bell will ring again, thaksin will endorse the best flavour of the day red guy and it will be on again

[jpinx]

Well Thailands not out of the wars yet i dont think.
The generals plan might help for now but is really only a band aid
A bit like boxing between rounds, when they get wiped off and pumped up, the bell will ring again, thaksin will endorse the best flavour of the day red guy and it will be on again

================

Unfortunately you may well be right.......

[joepattaya1961]

Have the freakin' guts to come down here, and I introduce you to all of them.........UNCLE David..

How moronic and juvenile can one get.

Uhm.......what is moronic and juvenile about introducing people to each other?

[ALFREDO]

We need to know more about the background of this tragic incident.

Did the young German know his attackers? Is he working in Thailand or just a tourist on a short visit ? Yes. most probably the Thai teens were high on drugs and booze , but still would like to know if the German just was sitting in the park and was suddenly attacked without any earlier confrontations.

I feel safe in Thailand after 5 years here , never felt any danger, except getting to close to drunk farangs.

Anyway the police did a good job catching the boys .

From the article, it is stated,

the German worked as a tutor for the German language, necessary to make a test to qualify for a long stay nor marriage in Germany, Austria, Switzerland possibly to.

Nothing sounds, that he knew his attackers, seems, he just got attacked, so the attackers could prove how tough, they are.

[ALFREDO]

I feel very safe here in Cambodia.

Cambodia is much more authentic and most Cambodians are much more straightforward than Thais. I am not sure how safer it is though... One thing is sure is that the behaviour of some of Thailands travellers could bring to violence much faster than it would in Thailand. Jai yen yen is not on the safety list here.

Cambodia, similar, regarding, "official" murder rate, even a bit more bad in Cambodia.

5 homicides p. 100.000 in TH and 6 p. 100.000 in Camb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate