BANGKOK, THAILAND – British event organiser Tom Pardhy died in the Thai capital, while his partner Naomi Raksha was treated in intensive care after a suspected poisoning involving allegedly spiked drinks.
What is known so far about the night
According to the family, Naomi Raksha became ill first during an evening out in Bangkok and suddenly required medical attention. They said she deteriorated quickly and needed urgent transport to hospital.
The family account stated that Tom Pardhy took her to hospital in a Tuk-Tuk. There she was later intubated and placed in the intensive care unit.
ICU treatment, cardiac arrest, coma
A GoFundMe page set up by Naomi’s brother reported that she was intubated in the ICU due to poisoning and suffered a cardiac arrest. The family said she remained in a coma after the incident.
Naomi’s mother Heather said that Tom stayed by Naomi’s side in the hospital while she was unconscious. According to her, he kept vigil there during the critical phase of her treatment.
Death in hotel room and a 24-hour window
The family said Tom Pardhy died in Bangkok on 6 March, describing his death later as “sudden, accidental and unexpected”. They did not provide further official medical details in the publicly available statements.
According to the fundraising appeal, the family learned around 24 hours after Naomi’s admission that Tom had been found “unresponsive”. This information was presented as part of the timeline of events they are trying to piece together.
Suspected knock-out mix, but many questions remain
Naomi’s mother Heather claimed the drinks had been laced with a combination of cocaine and heroin. Her account formed the basis of the family’s suspicion about the cause of the medical emergency.
However, the statements available so far contained no confirmation from authorities about the substances or exact circumstances. The wording remained at “allegedly spiked”, keeping the case firmly in the realm of suspicion.
Foreign Office confirms death and contact with authorities
The British Foreign Office confirmed the death and said it was supporting the family of a Briton who had died in Thailand. Officials also stated they were in contact with the local authorities.
No further details on investigations, toxicology results or any possible suspects had been released by official bodies. As a result, key aspects of what led to the suspected poisoning and Tom’s death remained unclear.
Who Tom Pardhy was – and why the scene is in mourning
The family paid tribute to Tom Pardhy as a well-known figure in the music and festival industry. They said he had worked in the events sector for more than a decade and had overseen stages at numerous festivals.
He was described as a co-founder of the events company We Concur. According to relatives, he was also active as a life coach, youth mentor and yoga teacher.
Farewell at temple and Naomi’s words
People close to the couple said a ceremony for Tom was planned for Thursday at a Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Friends and colleagues from the scene were expected to pay their respects there.
Naomi Raksha later wrote on social media that she had been “pronounced medically dead multiple times” on 6 March, and that she was now in a rehabilitation centre.
“I am returning alone, without Tom.”
said Naomi Raksha, survivor.
Debate over transparency and privacy
The case illustrated how quickly a night out in a major city could take a devastating turn. It also highlighted how difficult it was to distinguish between rumours, suspicion and verifiable facts in such situations.
The circumstances raised broader questions about how swiftly and transparently media and authorities should inform the public in comparable incidents. At the same time, the protection of the privacy of those affected remained a central concern in the discussion.