Dutch homeless person, 'Five-Star Tony', died in Pattaya

Tony, a Dutch homeless person, well known in the Pattaya community, where he spent more than 20 years, has passed away, according to a message from his church, the Encounter Church.

He was dubbed the "Five-Star Tony" because of his eye-catching tattoo on his face. “We are shocked and saddened to report that Tony passed away suddenly,” according to the church's statement, “Tony was an amazing figure in our church and our support groups.

Tony died last night of liver poisoning, after being knocked out of alcohol a few days earlier, says photojournalist Camille Gazeau. This photojournalist made a photo essay about foreign homeless people in Pattaya in November of last year. He also interviewed the homeless and Coconuts Bangkok paid attention to this. That interview with Tony, who turned 44, went something like this.

“I have been homeless for three years. In the Netherlands I was a technician, I was well-mediated, had two companies and owned a house. The first time I came to Thailand on vacation 20 years ago and I stuck. Alcohol and sex, that was it for me. I met my wife here, we had two kids, now 10 and 8 years old, we had a good time. But I had the wrong friends, I think, and the wrong life, because I continued to drink and have sex. My wife kicked me out after 13 years, she was fed up with my life in bars and other ladies. We had a good and rich life, but there is nothing left of it, now I don't own a red satang anymore.

To survive I have created my own street trade. . I help people, mainly tourists. Quite a few tourists are robbed or they have problems with ladyboys. I help them get their money or passport back. I have a connection with the police and I get some money from the victims for my help. I am quite familiar with hotels, taxis, etc. I earn money in Pattaya and mainly enjoy myself in Jomtien.

I get a lot of support from my church, faith is important to me. They give me good advice and stimulate me in my street life. They also arranged for me to go to Bangkok recently to meet my children, whom I hadn't seen in three years.

I never asked my family for support, they don't even know how I live here. I have my pride. My parents are old, I don't want to disturb them. My brother is the only one who knows about the situation, but I can't expect anything from that. No, the church, that's my rock!

The consular department of the Dutch embassy doesn't help me either. Their message is simple, appeal to your family and if they won't or can't help, get help from your friends.

I now accept street life, but I really don't want to get used to it. It's a hard life, I don't live, I survive. The hardest part is finding a decent place to sleep. I sleep wherever I can, usually in empty buildings. Never in one place for too long, that's too dangerous. Food is not a problem, because the Thais are very nice and they always give me something to eat.

I always have to watch out for thieves and other scum such as the Thai mafia. They don't like how I make my money. That's why I keep changing places so they can't find me. I live a dangerous life, I have many friends, but also many enemies. The tattoo on my face is to scare them off, like in America, where someone who has killed has a star tattooed on their face. It means, I'm not afraid, I'm not running. I'm always scared. But being afraid is also good, because then you keep your head in it. I'm an optimist, because I'm still alive despite being in a lot of dangerous situations. Stabbed several times and even had a gun to my head once, but I survived it all.

But it's enough, I'm now trying to get my old life back, I want my wife to accept me again. I hope that in the next four months everything will be all right again and that I will get my belongings back. I am working hard at it because I still love Thailand”

Rest in peace Tony!