80-Year-Old Belgian Man Brutally Attacked in Pattaya

[reader]

From Pattaya News

An 80-year-old Belgian man was brutally attacked with a knife to the head and robbed of his wallet near his Pattaya home around midnight today, December 25th.

At 12:36 AM, Pattaya police received a report of a foreign tourist being assaulted and robbed at the entrance of The Village Pattaya on Third Road. Upon receiving the report, police and rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rushed to the scene, along with reporters from The Pattaya News.

At the scene, in a private residence, the authorities found Mr. Richard, an 80-year-old retired Belgian electrician, covered in blood. He had sustained severe lacerations to his head caused by a sharp object. Rescue workers provided first aid before rushing him to the hospital. Mr. Richard revealed that his wallet, containing around 7,000 baht, was robbed from him.

Ms. Porntip, the victim’s 38-year-old Thai caretaker, informed the police that the victim had been returning from a Christmas event at an entertainment venue in Pattaya. As he approached the entrance of the village, three motorcycles with six male youths surrounded him. They attacked him with a knife, causing severe injuries to his head, and stole his wallet before fleeing. The victim managed to crawl to his residence to seek help, prompting Ms. Porntip to call the authorities. Richard stated he did nothing to cause the attack or anger anyone and had no enemies.

 

[khaolakguy]

Not quite sure why this unfortunate incident is illustrated by a photo of an elephant and a cock. Unless it is intended to hint at a back story........

[reader]

1 hour ago, khaolakguy said:

Not quite sure why this unfortunate incident is illustrated by a photo of an elephant and a cock. Unless it is intended to hint at a back story........

Inadvertently attached. Sorry about that.

It was intended to be a stand alone post of baby elephant that adopted the cock as its best friend in a Thai zoo.

[unicorn]

6 hours ago, khaolakguy said:

Not quite sure why this unfortunate incident is illustrated by a photo of an elephant and a cock. Unless it is intended to hint at a back story........

I was wondering the same thing. The symbol of Belgium is the lion...

Site of the Battle of Waterloo:

[reader]

From Pattaya News

Teenagers, Most Only 15, Arrested

At 11:06 PM on December 25th, Pattaya police arrested four Thai teenagers who were suspected of brutally attacking a retired Belgian electrician, Mr. Richard, in Pattaya after an overnight manhunt. The group consisted of three 15-year-olds and one 18-year-old. Police recovered a 22-inch knife and two motorcycles that the suspects used in the incident.

The suspects, identified by police under pseudonyms Arm, Krape, New (all 15), and Ton (18), confessed to the crime. They admitted to attacking Mr. Richard to steal his money, claiming they planned to use it to settle a car accident debt for their friend.

Spotting the victim walking alone in a quiet alley, the teenagers surrounded Mr. Richard with their motorbikes and demanded his money. When he refused, one suspect attacked Mr. Richard by hitting his head with a knife, causing severe injuries. The suspects claimed they did not mean to strike the victim with the blade, but the knife’s sheath accidentally came off, causing the blade to hit the victim’s head. The suspects did not know the victim and claimed he was selected only because he looked like an easy target.

After the assault, the suspects fled to Pattaya Beach, where they were later arrested. The suspects are now in custody and are facing legal proceedings. Pattaya Police have stated arresting the suspects was a top priority because safety of foreigners and tourists is a major issue and any assaults or harm to tourists can damage the safe image of the city for visitors.

Continues with video

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/12/26/teenagers-most-only-15-arrested-for-brutally-attacking-80-year-old-belgian-man-in-pattaya/

[Riobard]

No chocolates ever again for those assholes.

[Riobard]

23 hours ago, khaolakguy said:

Not quite sure why this unfortunate incident is illustrated by a photo of an elephant and a cock. Unless it is intended to hint at a back story........

Oh so that’s why

[vinapu]

14 minutes ago, Riobard said:

No chocolates ever again for those assholes.

they ruined somebody else's and their own  lives that early

[unicorn]

10 hours ago, vinapu said:

they ruined somebody else's and their own  lives that early

I'm curious as to how the Thai criminal justice system treats crimes of violent 15 year-olds. In most of the US, I think they'd get off with a few years in Juvenile Hall. As for the 18 year-old, he'd get (hopefully) serious time and a permanent record.

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, unicorn said:

I'm curious as to how the Thai criminal justice system treats crimes of violent 15 year-olds.

we may learn soon

[reader]

From Khaosod English

 In a disturbing incident that occurred just minutes into Christmas Day, CCTV footage has revealed how an 80-year-old Belgian tourist was violently attacked and robbed near his residence in Pattaya.

The incident took place shortly after midnight, ironically following a police ceremony deploying officers for holiday security.

According to surveillance footage reviewed by investigators, at 00:28 a.m., four teenagers on two motorcycles were seen entering The Village Pattaya housing complex. The group strategically positioned themselves to intercept Mr. Richard, a former electrician, who was returning home from Christmas celebrations at local entertainment venues.

Continues with video and photos

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2024/12/25/cctv-reveals-details-of-christmas-attack-on-belgian-man-in-pattaya/

[unicorn]

On 12/25/2024 at 6:37 AM, reader said:

From Pattaya News

...Mr. Richard, an 80-year-old retired Belgian electrician, covered in blood. ... The victim managed to crawl to his residence...

 

9 hours ago, reader said:

...

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2024/12/25/cctv-reveals-details-of-christmas-attack-on-belgian-man-in-pattaya/

Well, this is another example of the exaggerations and shoddy reporting from this "Pattaya News." The CCTV footage clearly shows the man standing up on his own, and even declining assistance from passers-by. He was hardly "crawling" to his residence, nor was he "covered in blood." While the Belgian was clearly violently attacked, the original story, as it often seems to be with "Pattaya News," was rather sensationalized. This is not a source to be trusted. 

[reader]

I've gone back and reviewed the video three times. It's not possible to determine if the victim declined assistance from those on motorbike who stopped and spoke with him after the attack.

Anyone with experience in emergency medicine would be aware that bleeding can become worse as time passes. You can see photos in the original article of two first responders treating his head injuries. In the black and white video taken from a distance during darkness, you cannot determine the extent of his injuries.

The only thing I can agree with is that he did not crawl home, although he did stagger and briefly crawl as he struggled to get off the ground.

It's also noteworthy that the reporter did not have access to the video when the initial article was published. Based on these findings. I do no believe that there is cause to label the Pattaya News an untrustworthy source.

 

[unicorn]

42 minutes ago, reader said:

I've gone back and reviewed the video three times. It's not possible to determine if the victim declined assistance from those on motorbike who stopped and spoke with him after the attack.

Anyone with experience in emergency medicine would be aware that bleeding can become worse as time passes. You can see photos in the original article of two first responders treating his head injuries. In the black and white video taken from a distance during darkness, you cannot determine the extent of his injuries...

the reporter did not have access to the video when the initial article was published...

Although there was no audio on the footage, it is very obvious that the next motorcycle came over, offered assistance, and he declined. While there may have been bleeding later on, his only injury was on his head, and it's clearly impossible that at any time he was "covered in blood" as the news story stated. Incidentally I do, indeed, have experience in emergency medicine, as it so happens, and you do not. The reporter clearly made up the false statements regarding the victim crawling to his residence and being covered in blood. The fact that the reporter was unaware of the CCTV footage, if anything, almost makes it worse. Without such documentation, he would not have been caught with his fabrications. 

This is not the first time your news source made up stories to create sensationalism. I remember a prior story in which they claimed a foreigner kicked a local. Again, only when CCTV footage was examined could it be seen clearly that this was not the case. Yet the fake story did apparently create a vigilante mob at the foreigner's place. If the facts are unknown, a reputable news source will refrain from reporting unsubstantiated speculation as fact. Thank goodness for the wide presence of security cameras these days, as rumors, false accusations, and speculations can take on lives of their own. 

Obviously never "covered in blood":

[reader]

6 minutes ago, unicorn said:

The reporter clearly made up the false statements

The reporter was on the scene and you were on the opposite side of the Pacific. I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. 😄

 

[unicorn]

4 minutes ago, reader said:

The reporter was on the scene and you were on the opposite side of the Pacific. I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. 😄

 

First of all, he was not on the scene, obviously. If he were, and reported falsely, that would make matters worse. The fact that you would believe someone despite video and photographic evidence that he lied is sad and extremely pathetic. Pathetic beyond words. 

[reader]

Reporter and photographer were on the scene. Your were not, and that is not in dispute.

[unicorn]

23 minutes ago, reader said:

Reporter and photographer were on the scene. Your were not, and that is not in dispute.

[reader]

Oh, I understand. You levitated across Pacific to scene of incident in Pattaya. Time to return and report back now to Capt. Kirk.

[vinapu]

It's all victim's fault. Had he had boy to accompany him , it would never happen which I can attest my my own experience. Never attacked and extremely rarely I go to hotel alone, less than once per trip .