American tourist a suspected suicide victim at Pattaya hotel
An American tourist was discovered dead this morning in a suspected suicide after a fatal fall from the seventh floor of a hotel in Pattaya. Pattaya police received the report at around 6.06am and quickly dispatched officers and rescue workers to the scene.
The incident occurred at an unidentified hotel on Soi Thappraya 15, where the deceased, identified as Michael Jeffery Bruggink, was found lying face down in a narrow space behind the hotel’s parking lot.
The 43 year old American was topless at the time of discovery, and preliminary investigations revealed no signs of violence on his body or forced entry into his hotel room. The Thai police did, however, find cannabis and numerous syringes in the room, which has now been sealed off for further forensic analysis.
The 34 year old hotel security guard, Supornchai Hadkham, reported that he did not witness the fall and remains uncertain about how or when it occurred. Hadkham discovered Bruggink while on patrol and immediately contacted authorities upon finding the tourist unresponsive.
Police are currently investigating the cause of the incident, considering both the possibility of an accidental fall and suicide. A forensic examination will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death, and the victim’s embassy will be notified.
The police will continue to gather evidence and speak with potential witnesses to piece together the events leading up to Bruggink’s fall.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to ensure all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined.
The American isn’t the only victim of what has been cruelly called “The Pattaya Flying Club. On Sunday, a Russian man reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the 29th floor of a Pattaya condominium yesterday, June 3, allegedly due to stress over a sexual assault charge.
The 38 year old Russian man, Roman Vlasenko, was found lifeless outside the 35-storey condominium in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya at around noon yesterday. Vlasenko was wearing a dark blue T-shirt and black shorts. He had a large gash on his head, exposing his brain.
If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help.
