From The Thaiger

A 64 year old Belgian tourist tragically succumbed to severe injuries following a brutal assault in Hua Hin in early April. The attack left him with a fractured skull and 10 broken bones, leading to a coma from which he never awoke.

Jan Valkenborg was holidaying with his Thai girlfriend in the resort town when he was ambushed. He was smoking a cigarette on the pavement when a man struck him from behind, continuing the vicious assault even after he fell. The assailant, later identified as a German national with a criminal record and ties to a local fight club, also attacked a British man the same night.

Danny Lemmens, Valkenborg’s close friend, remained by his side until he passed away on Monday, June 17. Lemmens, who travelled to Thailand to assist with Valkenborg’s care, recounted the harrowing ordeal.

“It was a long day, waiting for 13 hours during his surgery, and the following days were sleepless ones as I stayed in his hotel room, surrounded by his belongings while he fought for his life in the hospital.”

Valkenborg underwent a gruelling 13-hour surgery to address multiple skull fractures. Although the operation was successful, doctors estimated a recovery period of three to eight months, with an uncertain prognosis. Despite medical interventions, including a significant operation on his birthday, his condition worsened, leading to epileptic seizures. Doctors eventually concluded he would never fully recover.

The German attacker roamed the area for hours after the assault before being apprehended by police. Lemmens, who met Valkenborg through their mutual involvement with the Vlaams Belang political party, remembered him as a helpful individual with a wide circle of friends.

“Jan was a man with a heart of gold. He didn’t deserve this.”

Valkenborg was initially treated at a hospital in Hua Hin before being transferred to Bangkok for further operations and eventually repatriated to Gasthuisberg Hospital in Leuven, Belgium.

 

 

Very very sad innocent man 

Let's hope this bastard who attacked innocent people including this elderly man is given life imprisonment in Thailand 

Probably on ice at the time 

2 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

Very very sad innocent man 

Let's hope this bastard who attacked innocent people including this elderly man is given life imprisonment in Thailand 

Probably on ice at the time 

Anti gay attack?

26 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

Anti gay attack?

I don't think the Belgian man was gay as it said he had a Thai GF 

 

1 hour ago, Olddaddy said:

I don't think the Belgian man was gay as it said he had a Thai GF 

 

OK, I just wondered, as the friend who came to sit by his bedside, appeared to be male. 

The political party mentioned is a far right Flemish nationalist party. Its predecessor party was disbanded due to racism. That is interesting, given this guy is in Thailand with the Thai girlfriend.

I wonder if there is a far right expat group in Hua Hin that the victim and the German assailant are both part of.  I also find it interesting that a party comrade came to Thailand to take care of him rather than a family member or some other close friend.  He must have been pretty heavily involved with this political party.

6 hours ago, Travelingguy said:

The political party mentioned is a far right Flemish nationalist party. Its predecessor party was disbanded due to racism. That is interesting, given this guy is in Thailand with the Thai girlfriend.

I wonder if there is a far right expat group in Hua Hin that the victim and the German assailant are both part of.  I also find it interesting that a party comrade came to Thailand to take care of him rather than a family member or some other close friend.  He must have been pretty heavily involved with this political party.

Fair point. They were indeed far right. 

Regardless of someone's political affiliation it's still a horrific attack .

That could of been any one of us sitting there in his place.

Ice is a atrocious drug, I was recently walking in a street in Sydney City  Australia to come across a guy punching the walls hands bleeding .

Unfortunately I had walked into him as I turned the shop corner.

Luckily  he walked by me shouting to others on the street calling people dogs etc 

I'd hate to think if he punched anyone as he walked past , especially elderly people and this was 11am in the morning 

But this "meth" ..."ice" is a very very dangerous drug turning good people bad.

Apparently they have no memory of what they did when they were under the influence 

I do have empathy for the offender , information was that he was a bodybuilder so I don't believe he was a "bad" person ,still no excuse to attack random  innocent people 

I hope actually he gets the help he needs rather than be punished 

 

On 6/20/2024 at 9:48 PM, reader said:

... Lemmens, who met Valkenborg through their mutual involvement with the Vlaams Belang political party, remembered him as a helpful individual with a wide circle of friends...

Interesting. The VB is a right-wing anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-anything that isn't Flemish party. Surprising that he had a Thai girlfriend, since the party he supports believes the Flemish are superior to everyone else.

2 hours ago, unicorn said:

Interesting. The VB is a right-wing anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-anything that isn't Flemish party. Surprising that he had a Thai girlfriend, since the party he supports believes the Flemish are superior to everyone else.

Lol

Strange you mentioned that.

All the guys I know at my workplace who talk racist have wife's who are either Filipino or Thai 

2 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

Lol

Strange you mentioned that.

All the guys I know at my workplace who talk racist have wife's who are either Filipino or Thai 

One of, Nigel Farage's wives is German., and his mistress is French.

6 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

One of, Nigel Farage's wives is German., and his mistress is French.

Is he Muslim? Polygamy is only legal in Muslim countries (blue), or only allowed for Muslims in countries with significant Muslim minorities (green and brown):

Thailand is in the black area (not legal for anyone). 

4 hours ago, unicorn said:

Is he Muslim? Polygamy is only legal in Muslim countries (blue), or only allowed for Muslims in countries with significant Muslim minorities (green and brown):

Thailand is in the black area (not legal for anyone). 

Even Farage only has one wife at a time, but we do have divorce!