American found dead in Bangkok condo

[TheFishman1]

Some People go to BKK and never come back

[bobthomas]

Been living here more than 2 years now. How many years do I need to become a Bangkok old hand,who knows it all, like you?

It depends. There are those that spend a few weeks here and get it more or less sorted- others spend 30 years and still haven't got a clue.

To me, it doesn't matter how long you stay- there are always new things to learn.

b

Edited December 16, 2014 by bobthomas

[SamuiAxe]

Autopsy will take about 6 months...if foul play is suspected investigation will take 18 months...charges to be filed ohhh about 3 more years.

If he was murdered by a 'local' expect a conviction about 6 months after the next elections. Efficiency Thai style!

Not always.. My son died three years ago while being on Samui. His body was transported to Suratthani and three day's later the autopsy report was available to us. I know that sometimes they screw up, but I also know that many times they are doing their jobs, like everywhere else in the world. I am fully aware of the Koh Tao murders and the Canadian sisters, but those are exceptions, not the rule.. There are so many foreigners who come to Thailand to party and submerge in booze and sex, up to them, but every now and then someone pays the ultimate price for that.. Regrettable,sure, but very often it is by their own doing... Many millions come to Thailand every year, some will leave in a box. This happens not only in Thailand, but we live here, so we notice it.. And then we start bashing about how bad it is here.. Well, then by all means, go back to you own country then! Who's stopping you? And no, I don't mean this personally to you @deckape, I mean in general, you don't like it here? OK, bye....

Edited December 16, 2014 by SamuiAxe

[smotherb]

Been living here more than 2 years now. How many years do I need to become a Bangkok old hand,who knows it all, like you?

More than two years Bobby; hell, we have TV members with older bar bills than two years.

[Dustdevil]

White powder.... Hmm, baking a cake?

Whatever it is, it can always be planted. And local media can rule cause of death without ever having seen the body. By the way, this was how it went down in Perugia, Italy with Amanda Knox. Nobody had a clue what they were doing and they convicted an innocent girl. Then they overturned the conviction, but convicted her again in absentia. But several top international forensics and criminologists from around the world said she was almost certainly innocent. One of the experts was legendary FBI profiler John Douglas (inspiration for Jack Crawford in "Silence of the Lambs," who together with Robert Ressler had decades ago coined the very term "serial killer.")

To top it off, in Italy if you dare suggest someone else might have done it, like Amanda's parents did to the press, that's a criminal offense! Yes--first they call it slander, and then it turns out slander is a criminal offense. In Sweden too, by the way.

So...several European countries need a First Amendment. And, just as in the States, some local jurisdictions don't know what the hell they're doing. This idiot prosecutor in Perugia was a tyrant who believed in Satanic ritual murder and decided Amanda and her boyfriend were satanic cult murderers.

The FBI's Crime Classification Manual, however, specifically states that there is essentially no such thing as satanic cult murder. Jim Jones-type, yes, occasionally, but not Satan-worship-killers per se.

In the JonBenet Ramsey case, again, the parents were essentially convicted by the press and the local cops. That's because (1) most newspaper writers are not crime experts, especially if they haven't seen the crime scene! and (2) in Boulder, Colorado there wasn't even a homicide detective on the force, because they only had about one homicide a year. So they put an incompetent robbery detective on the case, who proceeded to make all kinds of stupid suppositions and conclusions. Fortunately, John Douglas himself and other experts of national standing were consulted, and they all said the parents couldn't possibly have done it. The parents were therefore never indicted.

My conclusions here: (1) Would you expect better in Thailand? When I lived in Japan 1988-92, about 98% of all prosecutions resulted in a conviction!! REALLY? The cops are so amazing there?? I wouldn't expect much better in Thailand, but I bet they're 1000% better than the fascists in Malaysia. (2) Not on this forum but in other comments around the net, I see Europeans make fun of the US justice system, but I'd say, look at the abuse in Perugia. It doesn't represent all Italian jurisdictions, although the national cops (Carabinieri) always seem to be involved in homicides. And look at the fact that libel or slander are criminal offenses in Italy and Sweden! It is only a civil matter in the US, AND it's difficult to prove against public figures! This protects us common people from the wrath of public figures, and the rich and powerful.

Edited December 16, 2014 by Dustdevil

[pedro01]

I like how BKKBobby said it here. There is no question reading these forum comments for even a few days does seem to get redundant. Several of these "old hands" who answer every forum thread seem to spend their whole day sitting by a computer getting the first word in on most new threads - often with the same one note song to sing. It is the same over at BKK Post where a handful of people seem to treat the Post Bag section like their hobby with a goal to get a letter-to-the-editor "published" every day if they can. The limited space keeps that under control. As an amateur media critic with training in how and when to keep my mouth shut as a foreigner in a host country, this is all quite amusing. So, tell me again (and again, and again) what we all are assumed to just know about Thai police and Thai government etc.

Agreed.

I've been here a while - more than a decade, a bit less than 2.

There seems to be a lot of competition amongst guys on these forums about how "well" they know Thailand.

It all boils down to how much you get around. I know people that have been here 10 years and rarely see any part of Bangkok other than Sukhumvit Road. I know a long time expat that has been here almost as long as me and he doesn't have a single Thai friend other than his girlfriend.

I had a friend who stayed in Pattaya, moved the fridge in to the living room and sat in front of the TV all day drinking beer and proclaiming "I love Thailand I do".

I think if you get around a bit, have Thai friends, Thai colleagues etc. you can know Thailand in 6 months a lot better than some guy typing on ThaiVisa for 12 hours a day between trips to The Plaza.

I was chatting with an expat last week and found he'd been here 18 years and he'd got here when he was 21.

If you know Thailand, when you meet someone that got here at 21 and remained for 18 years, the first thing you do is laugh & congratulate them on still being alive.

Edited December 16, 2014 by pedro01

[shaggy851]

Thonglor is a bit far.. Soi thonglor is suk 55. 20 is more like asoke. Bit too close to the touristy hotel areas to name the correct area. Makes you doubt the report straight off the bat. But that's probably all we will hear of the death. Poor bastard too young to die -rip.

[nalgab]

why do you all feel the need to comment on this? A man has died - end of story until something else comes up. Some of you need to get some fun in your lives!!

[hughben]

why do you all feel the need to comment on this? A man has died - end of story until something else comes up. Some of you need to get some fun in your lives!!

Says the person who made a comment.

[thurien]

And what are you think it should be the reason for dead,smart person !?!?

I am quite sure he was accidentally killed by a white Burmese wallaby which swirled its tail the wrong direction; no joey work permit on top of it...

[wabothai]

Thai law does not pursue nor punish evil Thai women who destroy their living ATM'S.

So even when his lady has driven him into his death, she will not be arrested.

this naturally cannot be mentioned in the news. So it is suicide. Clear to me.

[shaggy851]

why do you all feel the need to comment on this? A man has died - end of story until something else comes up. Some of you need to get some fun in your lives!!

Well the article is suspect again as usual and another foreigner has died. A foriegner dies every day of suspicious circumstances without much investigation or facts revealed by press. Then there's no follow up its onto the next. We should comment we should share to raise the profile of it. Maybe next week it will be your own death or someone you know, and they it have deserved better reporting and investigating or at least someone giving a damn.

[wabothai]

After having read today's news and reactions I feel the urge to pack my bags.

and don't you smart behinds tell me to go ahead.

[Vogele123]

They instantly know it's suicide without even indicating the means,

but they can't tell what the "powdery white substance" is before going to the media.

This country is run by children.

That is a slur against children.

[Vogele123]

Suicide, accidental overdose, chronic abuse, heart condition. That is always the official reasons for dead farangs here. Once in a while they find a burmese scapegoat.

And what are you think it should be the reason for dead,smart person !?!?

Mmmmm? I need an English translation of this jumbled drivel.

[soalbundy]

why do you all feel the need to comment on this? A man has died - end of story until something else comes up. Some of you need to get some fun in your lives!!

but we are

[soalbundy]

Thai law does not pursue nor punish evil Thai women who destroy their living ATM'S.

So even when his lady has driven him into his death, she will not be arrested.

this naturally cannot be mentioned in the news. So it is suicide. Clear to me.

His wife wasn't there but some white powder was and apparently he had a drug problem which is now cured. What's with all this ''The Thai wife did it'' its like a butler joke

[Friendly Stranger]

It must be another apparent suicide. He just could not wait to get to the balcony.

I wonder how long it will take the police to rule out homocide?

.

What makes you think a gay did it?

That's a twist. You think he had a secret life outside his marriage?

[cgphuket]

Good question. For some, 2 years in the mall and on a bar stool equals 1 week in the real world.

Been living here more than 2 years now. How many years do I need to become a Bangkok old hand,who knows it all, like you?

[pacovl46]

Partying and white powdery substance sounds like overdose to me.

[CharlieH]

Some posts and responses removed

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.

[cup-O-coffee]

It must be another apparent suicide. He just could not wait to get to the balcony.

I wonder how long it will take the police to rule out homocide?

Just as soon as TAT makes the deposit into the account?

Just a guess.

[Guitar God]

Doesn't anyone ever die from an accidental overdose or suicide in your country?

His (presumably American) wife went back to the US two weeks ago. It seems more likely that she left him and he was depressed and OD'd either by accident or on purpose than whatever other scenario people are implying happened instead. The cops found piles of white power. I don't know about you but I keep my baking power and Ajax cleanser in their containers. Piles of white powder and a dead body nearby sounds like coke or speed. The police said there was no sign of a fight and didn't mention his wallet or anything was missing.

I swear, a terminally ill farang here could have a 10 page notarized and apostilled suicide note, signed by witnesses, filed at the embassy, posted a week in advance on social media sites, record video of himself committing suicide and fifty people here still wouldn't believe it and half of them would call the police idiots.

Suicide, accidental overdose, chronic abuse, heart condition. That is always the official reasons for dead farangs here. Once in a while they find a burmese scapegoat.

[vijer]

Autopsy will take about 6 months...if foul play is suspected investigation will take 18 months...charges to be filed ohhh about 3 more years.

If he was murdered by a 'local' expect a conviction about 6 months after the next elections. Efficiency Thai style!

I'm often puzzled that autopsies take so long here, maybe they only have a part time forensic specialist and they are only allowed to work after a full moon.

[kruangfaifar]

They instantly know it's suicide without even indicating the means,

but they can't tell what the "powdery white substance" is before going to the media.

This country is run by children.

No, it's not. Chlidren would do a better job.

Since there is no mention of suicide in the OP I would suggest that the children are the posters who assume that suicide will be the result of any enquiry before such an announcement is made. I am sure that the family of the deceased are already devastated and introduction of the concept that he might have deliberately taken his own life based purely on comments by TV posters who are trying to use this unfortunate event as an excuse to take cheap shots at the Royal Thai Police will surely only add to their suffering. Show a bit of respect you children!!

[vijer]

My sincere condolences to family and friends of the deceased.

I think it would be appropriate to refrain from ' Holmes & Watson ' comments as a gesture of decency to the family left behind.

Why? Can't imagine many foreigner's family even know TV exists. I know it is the last place my family would come to if they found out I died in Thailand.

[Monkeysee]

Suicide, accidental overdose, chronic abuse, heart condition. That is always the official reasons for dead farangs here. Once in a while they find a burmese scapegoat.

And what are you think it should be the reason for dead,smart person !?!?

Mmmmm? I need an English translation of this jumbled drivel.

That's well above the Thai standards of English. I'm guessing a bar girl, or a Thai English teacher wrote this. I praise this person for actively participating in this forum.

[fgmr]

Been living here more than 2 years now. How many years do I need to become a Bangkok old hand,who knows it all, like you?

More than 2, obviously not yet 3! BKKBobby your still a toddler, wait till you get the growing pains.

[fish fingers]

The coke is v bad quality in BK. So I hear.

[englishoak]

White powder, most likely cocaine, which is fairly well known for its ability to induce a heart attack.

Or possibly a mix up at the dealer and it was heroin and sold as coke. I know of 2 guys this happened to here, one woke up in hospital, the other never woke up.

Who knows it could have been anything if it killed him, not very likely it was coke that did it unless cut with something deadly, more likely to be heroine based like China White and the punter thinking it was just coke and would OD very easily.

Couple of Brits died the other week in Holland exactly like that.