Carradine Reality Check

All that’s sometimes needed in the land of paradise is a big tragedy involving a famous person who dies under most suspicious circumstances. All of a sudden the world becomes witness to something that is an everyday occurrence in our alleged hog heaven: complete intransparency.

The family of Hollywood gentry David Carradine who recently died in Bangkok due to a supposed sex solo is up in arms against the way Thailand handles the case. After quite-tabloid Thai Rath published a shock forensics photo the “profoundly disturbed” family takes action.

Such photos are a sad everyday occurrence in a Thailand where victims enjoy absolutely no privacy whatsoever – not to mention respect. But even worse. Thai police who screwed up the case completely assured the family: the FBI’s not needed. Even though there’s ample evidence that a third party may be involved.

Or try it yourself. Tie up your genitals, neck and – most importantly – hands ~~behind your back~~ above your head. Running into troubles? Just another quirky farang suicide. Thai police are completely incompetent if there’s no direct personal gain involved – or if the reputation of Thailand is at stake. Again.

An FBI involvement is exactly what’s needed to shed at least some light on the dark mechanisms that account for one of the least respected institutions in the kingdom. This police had the nerve to declare an obviously suspicious death as a simple suicide. But now a big shot’s involved.

May the Carradines not rest the case until a credible, transparent account of what happened can be produced. Problem for us mortals here though remains, we’re not famous. If something, anything, happens, then what. Or ever gave it a thought what happens after – after a car accident in Thailand?

Nope, there are hardly any ambulances around. The body snatchers will pick you up. It’s only normal that valuables disappear in the process. With a little bit of luck you gonna make it.

But again, as mentioned in another post: Carradine is a timely reminder that Thailand is a great place. As long as you manage to avoid problems.

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Comments

19 Responses to “Carradine Reality Check”

Antonio Pineda on June 8th, 2009 10.25 am

I am a blogger on the scene in Bangkok at the hotel where Carradine died and am blogging about this on http://magickpapers.com/blog

ICON OF AN AMERICAN FILM DYNASTY
BY ANTONIO PINEDA

The announcer for the BBC breaks the story on TV. David Carradine was found dead in the Swiss Hotel on Soi Nailert. The film star was found in the closet of his room bound by curtain rope around his neck, and the inference is that his genitals were bound as well. The news ran through the Bangkok film colony like a forest fire.

I consult investigative journalist David Walker. He is also a screenwriter and author of the cult classic book, Hello My Big Big Honey. Walker is at the hotel. He has already led a CBS crew to legendary film producer-director David Winters penthouse office. Winters is a dear friend of Carradine from their glory days in Hollywood. Walker wants to see the surveilance tapes. No chance Bagger Vance. Dr. Pornthip, a colorful Thai forensic scientist is on the scene at the hotel. Walker says Pornthip, who is famous for sporting many hued punk hair styles and is a bit of a celebrity,delares the case to be death by auto sexual strangulation.

I roll up to Winters penthouse office. He is devastated by the tragic loss of a dear friend. He has not slept. CBS and People Magazine have already come by to solicit intelligence. David is shocked by the tawdry inferrences. He has spoken to 3 of Carradines agents. The agents declare that Carradine was on the roll of a lifetime. Quentin Tarantino redefined the 72 year old actor in Kill Bill. Carradine recieved a Golden Globe nomination for his work with Tarantino. The actor of the classic cult TV series Kung Fu had starred in 13 motion pictures since Kill Bill. His salary was in the stratosphere.

The strange circumstances of the verdict by auto-sexual strangulation trouble Winters. It takes two to tango. Why indeed would a man of his talent take his own life alone. Bangkok is known as a city with love for sale. Film people come here to shoot and avail themselves of the pleasures to be found in the gilded city of sin. Kinky sex is no big deal. Could this be a coverup for a sex robbery murder. The Royal Thai Police have shut the door on this case all too quickly. The tourist industry has been severely damaged by the recession and political instability. The murder of a famous film star would be a final nail in the coffin of the tourism industry. Winters says that Carradine, son of John , iconic members of an American cinema dynasty were above the fray. David Carradine was according to Winters a consumate gentleman, a brilliant actor, and a man for all seasons.

I run into local film producer Tom Waller at a reception hosted by the Italian Embassy. Tom does not believe in the verdict of death by auto-sexual strangulation. He concludes that it was a sex robbery gone wrong, and that to cover the motives the body had been arranged to fit the profile of death by auto- sexual strangulation, a theory once confined to the genre of novels classified as psychological thrillers. The denizens of the film colony in Bangkok are incredulous at the grisly circumstances of the sad demise of this brilliant talent.

The reception is attended by beaucoup des artistes and cineastes. Film critic Nick Palevski and I schmooze at the bar. Between glasses of vino rosso and spumante Nick expresses his distaste for the tawdy belching of the media and press. He is the critic for Auteur, a web site devoted to film criticism. He can not believe the shabby and sensational manner in which this case is being exploited.

In no way is this story meant to impugn the reputation of the Royal Thai Police, their meritorious service is well known. Nor is it meant to slander the bereaved Carradine family. The American Embassy has issued a statement wishing the family the best in this tragic moment, embassy staff have no other conclusion re this case except the finding of the body. Aristotelian logic might conclude that something is rotten in Denmark. Western countries would conduct a far more sophisticated investigation.

The epilogue is delivered by my dear friend in Santa Monica Martin Zweiback. He is a writer-producer director with 50 years of credits in Hollywood. Martin scrpted the original Kung Fu series and is a close friend of David Carradine. Martin is a gentleman of class and distinction. He often graces the Bangkok film colony with his presence. It is fitting that a cineaste of his stature have the final word in this affair. I recieved this email from Martin, and with all due respect to this fine bloke it is represented here below as a final testament to this sordid affair.

Antonio, my friend,

Sorry I’ve been neglectful about keeping in touch of late.

Thinking about Carradine this day, I recall when writing the Kung Fu show, how often his image inspired the words, and how much depth he brought to them. They sometimes had to pour him onto the set but he never read a line wrong. He was a gifted and underrated actor. I saw him at a screening of Kill Bill not too long ago. He seemed vibrant and clearly excited by the “second chance” Tarantino’s film had given him. Suicide in the middle of shooting a movie at this point in his life just doesn’t compute – but it does remind us to count our Blessings, Gifts, and Challenges – and be careful what we wish for.

With All Good Thoughts,

Martin

more to follow on http://magickpapers.com/blog
whoopla on June 8th, 2009 2.51 pm

Pinada’s blogmment is more a name-dropping of who’s who in Bangkok than a rant that offers any light on the crime. Who cares about the opinion of these overrated “legendary” expats and their “distaste for the tawdy belching” … Thai Tatler anyone?
Antonio Pineda on June 8th, 2009 5.25 pm

The bomb. Today http://magickpapers.com/blog releases the inside story from film maker David Winters in Bangkok who knew Carradine best and who says “this may get me killed.” An excerpt:

David Carradine was murdered and there is a cover-up over here in Bangkok. It was probably done by a ladyboy, either on purpose or accidentaly. The ladyboy would be strong enough and big enough to pick him up and place him in the closet. I want to see the tapes from the hotel”s cameras. Please try to get your hands on them and check them out as they may have been tampered with already.

I think the police and the hotel are both involved.

David would never kill himself. For sure. He was happily working and that was all he wanted in life – he was on a roll as Chuck and Tiffany his managers say. He had many more films to make and money was rolling in.

The rest at http://magickpapers.com/blog
geomark on June 8th, 2009 5.51 pm

Did you not see the photo? His hands were tied above his head not behind his back. I can even do that and I don’t have practice at it like Carradine did – according to his 4th wife who says she walked in on him when he had tied himself up one time.

BTW, this Antonio Pineda comment is on every blog that has carried the Carradine store. Would be nice to see some blog owners delete it.
BangkokDan on June 8th, 2009 6.06 pm

Somewhere I read the Chinese kung fu mafia is behind it …

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Thai police soon have their guy/gal.

If they only want to or are under real pressure they’re able to do an excellent job.

BangkokDan
Antonio Pineda on June 8th, 2009 8.38 pm

Hope BangkokDan is right and the Thai cops respond to the pressure for justice, what about the videotape surveillance?
commons on June 8th, 2009 9.51 pm

geomark makes points.

@ magicpapers has proofed to be nothing but PR-mill. I guess it’s business-model, right.

“Aristotelian logic might conclude that something is rotten in Denmark. Western countries would conduct a far more sophisticated investigation.”

Aristoteles would spit at you honey. & thks, for sharing another Western superiority stance na

You not understand? “I consult investigative journalist David Walker. [...] Walker wants to see the surveilance tapes. No chance Bagger Vance. [pls, magicpapers ... tell me a country I can walk into a criminal investigation & require "evidence," just as i'm some f**g farang bigshot?] Dr. Pornthip, a colorful Thai forensic scientist is on the scene at the hotel. Walker says Pornthip, who is famous for sporting many hued punk hair styles and is a bit of a celebrity, delares the case to be death by auto sexual strangulation. [thks again, you're not only racist but also afraid of women, it seems]

@ BKK Dan … yes, i’ve heard that too … wow, another exciting twist. the memes of global entertainment, enchanting a world in dreams 555

@ all: what is wrong about Mr. Carradine died due to an auto-erotic accident?
Magick Papers blogger on June 8th, 2009 11.13 pm

If you think http://magickpapers.com/blog is nothing but a PR mill then you need to take a look at the full range of articles there and report back, ok @geomark? There’s so much drivel around this whole Carradine news story, why pick on one of the most informed, on the scene sources? BTW, not racist, and not femmephobic.
JJ on June 8th, 2009 11.27 pm

Sure thing they’re checking CCTV. As Dan says Thai police are able to perform outstanding jobs. If only they want to.

Sure Mr. Carradine has a right to die by a sex solo. Nothing wrong with that. It’s just so freakingly different to what we’re all used to. To die I mean.
bosunj on June 8th, 2009 11.44 pm

I don’t care what happens to my body after I’m dead. I have no more use for that body. No need to be sentimental about dead meat.
Talen on June 9th, 2009 12.47 pm

It’s looking more doubtful that the photo Thai Rath posted was genuine. But the rumors still persist that his hands were tied and if true then there was definitely another person in the room.

Maybe Antonio will find out for us because he knows so many people and is blogging from the scene lol … sorry couldn’t resist.
BangkokDan on June 9th, 2009 12.59 pm

Call me naive, but what’s the point of posting a fake when it’s so easy in Thailand to get real crime scene photos.

For me there’s no doubt that’s a real shot. Rooms in the Swissôtel are not all big – there are suites and suites.

And the photo editors of Thai Rath didn’t give it too much thought as the publishing of such images is pure daily routine in this paper in this country.

The victim’s hair’s not black? That’s not the hair you see in the picture, that’s the blacked out face.

Not yet seen? Get the photo here.

BangkokDan
panmoria on June 9th, 2009 1.57 pm

Death by masturbation and hands tied above the head? Alone in his room? Did he fuck the closet? Even the obvious manages to become opaque over here?
JJ on June 9th, 2009 5.18 pm

He was flirting with death, that’s it.

It’s well documented in forensic pathology, even though 99.9% of such “highs” end with no drama.
CS on June 10th, 2009 6.01 am

I have lived in two Bangkok Condos that have modern, high-tech security.

Each place has had an incident and the security tapes were deleted or had a “malfunction.”

The guards were probably involved in the crimes …

Unfortunately, Thai police are totally corrupt & untrustworthy.

Photos of Thai Police defrauding foreigners:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29324583@N05/sets/72157617714418287/
BangkokDan on June 10th, 2009 3.10 pm

And now Carradine autopsy pics leaked:

http://www.bangkokbugle.com/2009/06/thai-rath-carradine-pics-more-fallout.html

As Andrew of the Bangkok Bugle writes:

“(…) ethics and standards of decency within Thailand’s media are so very different to other parts of the world.”

BangkokDan
Andrew on June 11th, 2009 2.43 pm

And now we have more crime scene details from Thai Rath:

http://www.bangkokbugle.com/2009/06/more-thai-rath-carradine-coverage.html
Carradine & Thailand’s Caricature Image on June 12th, 2009 9.56 am

[...] the “leaking” of crime scene and autopsy pictures (details in our first Carradine post) and the general state of Thailand’s tabloid media lurching “between lurid and [...]
Antonio Pineda on June 12th, 2009 8.17 pm

Curioser and curioser, I roll down to Pattaya Beach to interview Peter Rnic, the actor and publican. Peter is a crack character actor in films. He also owns the Celebrity Corner, a happening pub in Pattaya. Peter totally debunks the theory that Carradine committed suicide.

Back at the penthouse lair of David Winters in Bangkok, things are hotting up. He dictates a birthday greeting for Nancy Sinatra to his secretary Mina, a pretty and vivacious Thai girl. The greeting sparkles with bonhomie. He reminds her of the beauty of their friendship, and the love her father, Frank Sinatra, expressed to David re Nancy.

Bob Burns, senior reporter for Globe magazine has contacted David. He is fascinated by the theory espoused by Wnters, that a katoey carried out the murder, and the crime scene was staged. Burns and Winters conduct an interview by phone.

David refers me to an article in The Nation Newspaper. Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, the former chief examiner for New York City, determined that Carradine did not commit suicide. He conducted the autopsy in California, and concluded more information was needed from Thai authorities before reaching a final determination of the case.

Excerpt from http://magickpapers.com/blog/

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