Does anybody know my father Michael Kopplin?

[jule2303]

I am looking for any informtion about my father Michael Kopplin. Unfortunately he passed away on Friday the 22 october in a hospital in Hua Hin. He drawned in the sea I guess at Hua Hin beach. I would like to find his personal belongings, laptop and suitcase. I think he was going to rent an apartment. Please if anybody knew my father can you please reply here. Many thanks.

[PeteC]

I'm sorry for your loss Jule and all the uncertainty it's brought to you. Your post arrived at 3AM here so hopefully later in the morning someone will know something. Unfortunately these things happen here periodically and little if anything makes the local news. If he was a tourist and not a resident, and traveling alone, finding out anything is unfortunately going to be difficult.

He was probably either taken to San Paulo Hospital, phone from out of the country 66-32-532576 with email address of info@sanpaulo.co.th . Or Hua Hin Hospital, phone 66-32-547351 with no email listed. The Hua Hin police station is phone 66-32-511027.

You should also contact the embassy of the country your Father was from and they can assist at least with perhaps better contact numbers and information than I've given above, and perhaps make some enquiries on your behalf. Here is a listing of foreign embassies in Bangkok: http://www.asiatradingonline.com/embassies.htm For all the phone numbers listed, start with the country code, and drop the "0" in front of the 2 i.e. 66-2-xxxxxx rather than 66-02-xxxxxx. Pete

[hhfarang]

I'm sorry for your loss too Jule. Sorry, but I don't know anything about your father. I'm searching news to see if I can find anything that may help you.

[PeteC]

Another thought Jule is that someone notified you of the event and his passing. That means they found some kind of ID in his belongings perhaps left on the beach while he was swimming. If so, there should have been a room key or key card in there which possibly identifies where he was staying. At very least, the authorities/hospital should know the location of the beach which may not be too far from where he was staying. This info would narrow the search.

Please get on the phone with his Embassy and push them to get involved to help with these issues. Pete

[Roel]

My condolences Jule. It is standard procedure in Thailand to notify the applicable embassy when a foreigner has passed away. Contact your embassy in Bangkok. Do not bother with investigating yourself or contacting Hua Hin police or other authorities directly. There is a frustrating language barrier and you are not familiar with local procedures. Your embassy can and will assist you.

[Big Boy]

Please accept my sincere condolences as well Jule.

My son-in-law works at at San Paulo, and I've contacted him to see if I could find any information for you. He says that your father was not taken to San Paulo. He suggests that you try Hua Hin Hospital.

You will find hospital contact details fot the Hua Hin area here http://www.expathuahin.com/hospitals-huahin.php .

[jule2303]

many thanks everyone for your nice posts. I am already in cintact with the German emassy, but find it very frustrating!! I was hoping that my father was known in Hua Hin as he was regular traveller... I am trying to get access to his email account now to see if I find any information there, if anyone finds out anyhting, please let me know, and thanks again.

[margaretcarnes]

My condolences also Michael. It's very sad and very difficult to deal with from abroad. I've been in HuaHin for 2 weeks and haven't heard anything at all. Your embassy is indeed the best start - as a 'farang' your Father would have had to fill in an entry card before landing in Thailand. We all have to do this - on the card we have to put an address where we will be staying in Thailand.
This isn't of course always possible to put the actual correct address - and people do move around - but the details are I believe kept by Immigration and could help your Embassy.
Meanwhile do you know if your Father would have used any of the German owned restaurants in HuaHin?

[pharvey]

Hi Jule,

I would also add my condolences, however as a non-resident of Hua Hin, did not know your father.

I would agree with previous posters in that contacting the embassy and local hospitals would likely be your best chance. Certainly if you have been contacted, as Pete says in an earlier post, the police must have found some I.D. etc. - obviously worth following up.

I do see that you've obviously contacted the German Embassy in Bangkok and are having difficulties - just on the off chance, I'm wondering whether the Thai Embassy in Germany could assist??

I truly hope you can get the information you need.

[Takiap]

I too am sorry for your loss Jule. I have just the other day been informed that my last remaining brother passed away. It's difficult for you I know, when you're so far away. I'm truly sorry, and I would also suggest you push your embassy.