A tragic incident unfolded in Thailand when a British events organiser, Tom Pardhy, sadly lost his life, and his girlfriend, Naomi Raksha, was left hospitalized after their drinks were reportedly tampered with during their holiday.
Tom, aged 38, had been exploring the beauty of Thailand for six weeks with Naomi, who is 31, when he unexpectedly died on March 6 in Bangkok, the nation’s bustling capital. Although the precise cause of his death remains undisclosed, his family has described it as “sudden, accidental, and unexpected.”
In the aftermath, Naomi’s mother, Heather Brown, traveled to Thailand to be by her daughter’s side. She took to Facebook, revealing that the couple had been given spiked drinks while in Bangkok. Heather further shared the alarming chain of events, stating that Naomi was “rushed” to the hospital in a blue tuk-tuk, a common mode of transport in the city.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Naomi’s brother, Jonathan, who is known as a celebrity jeweler, created a GoFundMe page. The page disclosed that Naomi had been “intubated in ICU due to poisoning” and was recuperating following a cardiac arrest. The incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a joyful exploration of Thailand’s vibrant culture and landscapes.
She also detailed Naomi was ‘rushed’ to hospital in a blue tuk tuk.
A GoFundMe page set up by Naomi’s celebrity jeweller brother, Jonathan, outlined that Naomi had been ‘intubated in ICU due to poisoning and in recovery from a subsequent cardiac arrest’.
It goes on to say that ‘roughly 24 hours later’ they learned her ‘loving boyfriend Tom was found unresponsive’.
His death was confirmed on March 11 following an Instagram post signed by his mother, Joanna, sister, Alex, and Naomi.
The Foreign Officer have also confirmed his death.
Tom was a popular London-based music industry figure who worked at countless festivals and events.
Tom Pardhy, 38, had been travelling around the Asian country for six weeks with his girlfriend Naomi Raksha, 31, when he tragically passed away on March 6 in the country’s capital, Bangkok
The cause of his death has not been disclosed, but it has been described by Tom’s family as ‘sudden, accidental and unexpected’
The social media post read: ‘It is with indescribable grief and sadness that we are writing to tell you of the sudden, accidental and unexpected death of our dear Tom in Bangkok last Friday 6th of March.
‘We know this will come as a terrible shock to all his many friends. He was an absolute beacon of light in his East London community and beyond… From the festival circuit, to his beloved yoga community, we know he will be dearly missed by so many.
‘Our breaking hearts go out to you all.
‘We will share here when we have more information about a gathering to celebrate Tom’s life.
‘We are keeping what we know about the circumstances of his death within our close family and friends, and ask that any questions about exactly what has happened are not asked here. Please respect our privacy at this time.
‘We are deeply comforted in the knowledge that his last month in Thailand with his love Naomi was truly the happiest of his life.
‘Lastly, if you feel to write any posts honouring Tom’s life, that you please use the hashtag #TLPLOVE so we can all read them all.
‘With love from Joanna, Alex and Naomi (Tom’s mother, sister and girlfriend).’
Naomi has since put out a separate social media post describing Tom as her ‘best friend’ and ‘rock’.
She revealed she has died ‘multiple times’ before being brought back to life and ‘slipping into a coma’.
Naomi also disclosed she is currently in a ‘rehabilitation centre’.
Naomi’s post read: ‘On the morning of March 6 in Bangkok, my life changed in a way I never could have imagined.
‘I suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead multiple times before slipping into a coma. By every medical measure, the odds of surviving weren’t in my favour – yet somehow, I am still here.
‘I am beyond grateful to have been given another chance at life… but that gratitude exists alongside profound grief, guilt, and remorse. I returned alone, without Tom by my side. He saved my life, and that truth will stay with me for the rest of mine.
‘He was my best friend, my biggest fan, my rock, my confidant, my teammate – my guy. I loved him like I’ve never loved anything before and the past six weeks we had together were magic. That’s what I’m holding onto to get through this.
‘I know he would want me to take care of myself and do something meaningful with this opportunity of life.
‘For that reason, I have admitted myself into a rehabilitation centre to focus on my physical recovery, while also receiving treatment for grief, PTSD and trauma.
‘Healing, I’m learning, is not linear – it requires patience, humility, and support.
‘With that, I want to thank everyone who has reached out and held me in your thoughts. I’m currently too overwhelmed to respond to all of the messages but your kindness means the world to me.’
Several friends have also put out statements on social media mourning Tom’s death.
It is believed his cremation will take place on Thursday in a Bangkok Buddhist temple.
It has been reported that Tom worked in the events sector for over a decade, managing stages at Kala, Houghton, Hideout and other festivals.
He also managed several Resident Advisor festival stages, including Dimensions and Morocco’s Oasis Festival.
He was also involved with the marketing behind Corsica Studios and cofounded his own events company, We Concur.
Outside of music, it is believed he was an accredited life coach, a youth mentor, and a passionate yoga instructor.
An FCDO Spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.’
Thai Police have been approached for a comment.
