Last week at a business meeting I met a guy who handled all of the deaths at a European Embassy for Nationals from his country. I had to ask him what the most common causes of death were for foreigners in Thailand.

As of last Thursday he had handled 196 deaths from citizens of his country. The most common cause was old age, by Expats who were retired.

The most common cause of accidental death was motorcycle accidents, he had handled 28 so far. Second was drowning but I don't remember the number. Electricution was also common, and one of them was a guy who urinated on a wall with power lines on it. A couple of them were swimmers that were swimming close to electrical devices that shorted in the water. One was an electric pump close to a water pipe in the river.

He had handled 5 murders. Three were contracted for about 20,000 Baht each, and two were done themselves. All 5 have been solved.

It was an interesting and informative conversation.

An interesting and informative post as well. Thanks.

It seems the fee for contract hits has gone up. I remember during the 1997 crisis the cost was only about 10,000 Baht.

Your right Michael, 20,000 is way too much!

The last deal I made was three for 25,000. It was a great deal and I couldn't turn it down but I only had two candidates, so a chap who was in line for a good thumping got promoted to termination. In retrospect a bit tough on him.

lol, Tangata.

No "falling from balcony"?

sad subject with a few laughs.....i will have to warn gpanda about his frequent unscheduled urinations....

the board has been soooooo dreary lately, this will help spice things up....

I asked about electrocution because of all of the power lines that are within reach when you walk around. Many times you will see them spark in the rain.

People do get electrocuted by touching the wrong wires.

brad, almost as bad as honolulu. a few months ago, a man got electrocuted when he put his hand on a light pole at a major neighborhood intersection, while waiting for the traffic light to change.

Ken,
I'll see you in two months in Hawaii.

When are you coming back to BKK? I've got some new places to show you.

Interesting. When we were in Hoi An last week, we met the Irish Ambassador to Vietnam (and Laos and Cambodia) who happened to be on vacation and staying in the same hotel as us. She said the issues she has to address in VN are very much the same (accidents and deaths) plus people getting in trouble for drugs or alcohol related problems.

For a potential danger see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8154497.stm

Tangata, that's really only a danger if you're a thief. See:
http://www.kingpower.com/2009/popup/pop_case2.html

Thanks Michael, that clarifies things.

Better move my operation to somewhere where the gaols are friendlier!

Or at least check for security cameras before you boost that Chivas Blue.

brad, wow, two months! time flies. i don't think i'll be seeing you anytime soon in bangkok, so you can tell me about all these great spots when i see you in sep.

your reccos are always great.