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Rick Salasar on 
August 02, 2005
Expat Issues | Foreigner Stabbed to Death by Youth Gang
Over the last few months I have been hearing scattered stories of young gangs of motorbikers attacking seemingly at random innocent Bangkok civilians, normally late at night. In many cases I am told that foreigners are being attacked more often than Thais, but this is certainly not always the case. Most of the time several youths savagely beat their victim with sticks and machetes.
I am sure you have seen these assholes racing up and down Sukhumvit hepped up on Ya Ba and Sangsom, redefining the definition of 'loser'. The following is a report sent to me by a good friend of mine. I highly suggest you read it closely and tell your friends to do the same because these attacks have been happening virtually every night for many months (according to a Bangkok police officer). The subject of this latest attack was pronounced dead earlier today. The photo above is an actual photo taken by the survivor (the driver). RIP Y and may God watch over your soul.
Bangkok, 7/30/2005 11:36 PM
Witness Report:
At around 4:43am on Saturday the 30th of July, 2005, I and my friend Y, who studies Marketing with me at Bangkok University International College, left Rachada Soi 4 to go to Sukhumvit. I was driving my motorcycle and Y was sitting behind me.
We drove on Rachada and stopped at the red traffic light Rachada/Rama IX, right opposite Fortune Town. Y and I were talking, and waiting for the traffic light to turn green, when all over sudden something hit me from behind. Then I turned around and I saw that Y was lying on the road. Three young motorcycle gang boys were stabbing him with knifes and machetes and beating him up with from what I remember a wood stick, about the size of a bat. They stabbed him in his back, totally smashed his knee, cut his right hand, and beat him at several other parts around his body.
Everything went so fast. I was only focused on Y, and told him to get back on the motorcycle, so that we could drive away. Then the traffic light turned green. Y, pumped up with adrenalin, still had enough energy to get back on my motorcycle, and said: "Bring me to the hospital!", where I said yes, I will bring you to Rama IX hospital. The motorcycle gang had left, and all the cars started driving. Nobody stopped and helped us. However, then he said he feelt very dizzy and lost his consciousness.
4:50am - I stopped at the side of the road, and put Y flat on the ground, next to the sidewalk. Then, I stopped a young Thai man with his girlfriend to ask them to call the police and the ambulance with my mobile. Then about 4 minutes after that two motorcycles came with blinking lights, but they were not police, they were not wearing uniform. They carried walky talkies, flash lights, etc. I think they are voluntary police or something. They then called the police over the radio.
A few minutes later, two police officers from Ding Daeng Police station showed up on their motorcycles. They looked at him and called the ambulance, who took at least over 12-15 minutes to reach the scene!!! I told them to call Rama9 hospital or Bangkok General Hospital because they are right next to the accident. I told them to hurry because Y was bleeding really bad. But they didn't listen, instead they called Ratchatevij Hospital at the Victory Monument. Eventually the ambulance came and they put Y in the ambulance car, where he then lost his heartbeat and they had to resuscitate him.
They cut open his jeans, and you could see that his knee was totally smashed and crushed. He was bleeding so much, as they hit the main artery in his left leg. The doctors said that they will have to amputate his leg.
The ambulance drove away, and the police officer told me to follow the ambulance, which I did. The ambulance went onto the express way, and I followed the ambulance even though I am not allowed to drive on the expressway. The ambulance then drove so fast that I couldn't catch up with it, so I lost the ambulance. I went off one exit, having no idea where the ambulance was going.
The police officer at the accident scene told me which police station he works for. So, I went to Ding Daeng Police station to find out which hospital they are bringing Y to. I also called the tourist police three times, but nobody answered!!! Then, the Ding Daeng Police found out that he is in the Ratchatevij Hospital next to Victory Monument. However, I had no idea where that was. So, I asked the policeman to please show me the way to the hospital. I had blood all over me and my motorcycle, so they could see how serious the situation was. However, they refused to bring me to the hospital. Then I asked them to tell the motorcycle taxi to bring me to the hospital. They told the motorcycle taxi and I followed him with my motorcycle for 50 baht.
Eventually, I arrived at the hospital; Y was bleeding very heavily. The staff at the hospital responded immediately with the best to their capabilities.
6:43am - I called R, Y's Butanese friend who then called Y's brother. They all arrived at the hospital 30 minutes later.
Eventually, one of the police officers that I talked to at Ding Daeng police station came to the hospital. It was the same officer who I asked before to show me the way to the hospital. He then asked me what happened, and I told him with the help of a translator. Then, the police officer and I took a Taxi back to the accident scene, where he took two photos and then talked to the police officer that was controlling the traffic light (at the time of the accident the police booth was unoccupied). This officer then said that Huaykwang police station is responsible for this.
10:00am - We went back to the hospital, where a nurse took care of my wound at my neck. After that, I left the hospital.
The doctors at the hospital were trying their best to stabalize Y, as he lost a lot of blood. He lost his heart beat several times. After the amputation of his left leg, he went into such a bad state that they could not recover his heartbeat. He passed away on Monday afternoon.
Until now, the police have not contacted me or the family, which I think is really strange.
I have to add that during the whole night, Y did never get into an argument or fight with anybody. He was with me and his Butanese friends first at RCA and then he went with me to Rachada Soi 4, where he and me sat by ourselves at a table, drinking beer. The incident was totally surprising to me. Maybe they were after the wrong guy. I did not have a chance to talk to Y after this incident as he lost consciousness.
A similar incident happened to my friend R, who also studies at Bangkok University. He walked across a pedestrian bridge and was hit from behind. They hit him so hard that he lost consciousness. He almost lost the ability to speak. He nearly died. This was a total surprise and random attack as happened to Y.
P
If you are concerned about these attacks I would suggest you contact the local newspapers who seem to be ignoring the problem, or maybe just are not aware this has been going on.
Posted by Lance Powers at August 2, 2005 12:31 AM
Comments
I have just heard word that the author of the above report has got his story on the air with a readio station here popular with taxi drivers in the hopes that someone witnessed this.
Posted by: Lance Powers at August 2, 2005 01:39 PM
Well, just another reason for me to get a gun.
May he rest in peace and the others go to hell
Posted by: Thilo at August 2, 2005 03:01 PM
I only just got back online after a few very busy hours in the office but I was told this story only about three hours ago by somebody who was also a friend of the victims.
I would really like to find out the truth behind what has resulted in these attacks. I am not saying that Y or R did anything to warrant these attacks.
I want to find out if it is really just random lunacy by groups of hyped-up morons or has there been some perceived wrongdoing by the victims. This would not excuse the attack or death, but are there things that some or all of the victims of these attacks have unknowingly done to raise the ire of the murderers in the first place?
In my experience, there are, broadly-speaking, two types of farang I meet here - those who regularly bump into such problems and those who, despite many years in Thailand, have never had a problem.
I have always found the two types to be of noticably different character, to live different types of lives and to mix with different sorts of people. As a result, I have reassured myself that I can avoid any problems by living a certain type of life here.
It would be such a shame if that truly were changing here as it has in so many other places.
Posted by: Rick Salasar at August 2, 2005 06:23 PM
Thilo, unfortunately in any society as wealth and prosperity increases, there will be the people who have things and the people who do not. Amongst the people who do not, they will want the same things and with no other way to get them, either take out frutrations or crime on others to get it.
It can only get worse here and with the inability of a police force to care and the inability of well trained emergancy staff, more lives will be lost in this country in this way.
Posted by: pete at August 3, 2005 09:37 PM
I hope this is not a trend. BUT forgive my ignorance as to where 'Butanese' people are from, but could it be that these Thai's are maybe using riot mentality and attacking people who look 'muslim' or middle eastern in retaliation for what's going on in the south?
Posted by: Farang at August 4, 2005 12:48 AM
As I know Butan is near the Himalaya's, Kathmandu area so, not Middle Eastern. I hope its wrong but, the line of Ya Ba'd up Sang Thip drinkers sounds the more likely to me. Theres not even any money taken, no robbery. Just blatant mindlessness....! Sorry for your loss P, and my thoughts to all the family and friends.
rus
Posted by: redrus at August 4, 2005 03:44 AM
I read this story and I was curious the gangs stabbed and beat the man to death and why the rider of the motorbike only suffered small injuries? Usually if its a random killing these gangs would probably stab both of them.
I think its one of the stupid vicious killing committed by these low soul, low mental and low spiritual helpless Thai young thugs that should be wiped out from the planet earth. The victim was killed probably because he looked at them or some reason like that. They will get away from this kind of murder and they will do it again and again. Police will not care until some important person fall victim to these gangs.
Sometimes I feel I support the death squad like in Rio or Sao Paulo. The police will not take care of these low and helpless elements of the society then the general public, ex-cop or current cops, people with consciousness for a better society should fight back and wipe out these guys before they kill again.
Posted by: Swedish Fish at August 4, 2005 03:51 AM
I saw how all this happened, as I was the driver of the motorcycle. I can with a strong believe say that my friend Y did not have any conflict, argument, or whatsoever with anybody that night.
My friend is in God's hands now and well taken care of.
The police are doing their best at the moment. And they will find them! They HAVE to!
Posted by: P at August 4, 2005 04:41 AM
P thanks for sending along your report to let some of us know what is happening. I have been hearing these stories crop up recently and foreigners seem to be the preffered target. Which makes it even more strange I still see no mention of this in the 2 big English papers...
Did anyone notice if Y's attack was even covered anywhere by the press? Someone HAD to have seen this murder take place besides the victims.
Posted by: Lance Powers at August 4, 2005 11:12 AM
I think it was one of those thai (student) gangs who mess up students from other universities and technical school. Those you did it had rountine on doing those stuff, i dont think this was the signature of drugged slum kids. There happended similar cases on that weekend with similar weapons I was told to some thai students. I dont think it was cooincidance that they didnt attack the non asien looking driver P. Y must be mixed up to be thai.
I hope the police is taking the case serious and bringing the "real" responsible party for this issue without mercy to justice!
Posted by: Tom at August 4, 2005 11:28 AM
I am verry sadden by this. I don't how something so terrible could happen in a country that i have come to love. This is a story that should be in all the papers. Tragies like this should not go unnotice leaving the foreigners here blind and ignorant to the dangers that do exist. This is a country with many peopel from outher countries if the thai goverment and police can't control these mindless ganges then thailand should no longer be looked at as an ideal place for holidays and business. If the police don't care cus it wasn't someone that they saw to be important then let them care when the value of the baht declines do to lack of foreigners comeing to this country. So far these mindless gange thugs and proveing that they can beat the police here. A message was sent now i'm courius to see what the respose will be. Sorry for your loss P. I hope those guys die and justice will be served.
Posted by: J at August 4, 2005 01:44 PM
I Agree with the first commenter's thread. Unfortunately the right to bear arms has been slowly phased out in Thailand...Although there are loopholes.
Also agree that the main stream press in BKK should be covering this...the only mention I have seen of it is this: http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=5824&PHPSESSID=8fd7515f316b31a7e5ac33ded4918138
If this happened in say, Canada, it would be front page news.
Posted by: van_keith at August 4, 2005 03:39 PM
One time this happened to a German friend of my. He was working in Chonburi and was driving from Bang Na back to Chonburi about 12 midnight and pass Cenrtal Bang Na about 5 kilos, he saw a hords of motorcycle racing from behind and waving machetes and metal bats. He was so scared and try to let them pass and instead one of the bike guy came next to his car and started smashing his windows. He tried to swerve and try to avoid them but all of them started to smash the car at a high speed and a few try to stab him with machestes through broken window and one threw a rock into his car but missed his head by inches. But fortunately he only suffered some skin cuts and small injuries as he outspeed these scums in his Volvo which all the windows were broken and suffered so many dents and scratches.
He went into the police and did a report and never heard from the police again.
Posted by: Zik at August 4, 2005 09:43 PM
P, your friend might have survived if you knew the number to call for an ambulance. From what you have described, it took 20 minutes from the time of the stabbing, and the time that police requested for an ambulance.
From the database of Narenthorn Center which command and control all EMS ambulances in Bangkok, a request for an ambulance for "injury - victim unconscious" was received at 5.00am and it took a mere 8 minutes for the ambulance to arrive at the scene. Paramedic Nurse and EMTs spent 24 minutes resucitating him before leaving the scene for Rajavithi hospital with continuous care.
The number to call for an EMS ambulance in thailand is 1669. Please don't dial 191, the police emergency number, since they are overloaded with information, most delays usually occur here.
Posted by: EMT-Basic at August 6, 2005 05:14 PM
Had I known this number, I would have called it. However, as you could read above, I handed the mobile to some young Thai guy who drove by to call the ambulance and police because he can tell them our location in Thai, which is much faster than me explaining it. In the meantime, I was taking care of Y, made sure that he is breathing and not choking in case he is throwing up. I also kept on talking to him to keep him going. There are many If's and Should haves... But none of this explains as to why this happened. I do not understand it until now, and I'm afraid I will never understand the 'why' of this horrible incident. I hope that the murderers get caught and be brought to justice. Eventhough, nothing will ever justify my friends pass away.
Posted by: P at August 6, 2005 07:54 PM
dear P, sorry to read of your loss and trauma. i can only guess that those thugs thought your friend was somebody else they were hunting or maybe at worst this incident was racially motivated, with the thugs targeting you because of that reason. Many Thais don't like foreigners with the same colour skin as they. Your friend was 27 years old by all accounts. i hope he had a fulfilling life up to now. i understand Bhutan is also a Buddist country just like Thailand. It is ironic that Buddhist brothers cannot get along in this world. May your friend rest in peace and may you recover from this trauma to become a successful person in future years.
Posted by: yoda at August 8, 2005 11:04 AM
Re the murder of the Bhutanese student three weeks ago, so far the police dont seem to have made any report or given any feedback on their investigations. Anybody any suggestions about how to encourage them to do so? And to pursue their investigations more actively.
Posted by: Kartou at August 24, 2005 11:03 PM
P, didn't you note down the bike plate numbers of the attackers?
it would have made much much easier to nab the culprits behind this if u knew or remembered the plate numbers of any of the three bikes...?
Posted by: jr at August 25, 2005 12:09 AM
Usually these thugs have plates removed from their bikes. No blame for that. And when it happens, it happens so fast you are more likely trying to figure out how to save your friend and escape.
If people who knew these things happening would post that info here or to newspapers and let ppl know, then the police might have more interest to investigate it. Now when ppl and foreigners don't know, it doesn't affect anything and it doesn't exist... :(
Posted by: N6 at August 25, 2005 03:38 PM
Apparently, the police are about as likely to pursue this case as The Bangkok Post is to publish the story and trust me, The Bangkok Post has been made aware.
"The newspaper you can trust" can mean different things to different people, you see.
The plural form of a certain noun comes to mind. This noun might possibly refer to a common household pet or could even be taken as slang for part of the female anatomy comes but who can be sure?
I honestly wouldn't know.
Posted by: Rick Salasar at August 25, 2005 04:35 PM
