Russian tourist left severely injured after Patong hotel fall

*Patong police were called at 6.05pm on March 4 after receiving a report that a Russian tourist had fallen from the fourth floor of a hotel in Kathu district, Phuket. The incident reportedly happened after the tourist had an argument with her husband. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Memkchai, an inv*

Published: 2026-03-14 16:35 UTC Event date: developing

A Russian tourist was left severely injured after falling from the fourth floor of a hotel in Patong, Kathu district, Phuket, on the evening of March 4. Patong police received the emergency call at 6:05pm and responded promptly to the scene, where they found 53-year-old Iuliia Bondarenko lying on her back with a head injury on the balcony of a second-floor room.

According to police, Bondarenko had checked into the hotel with her husband, Eduard Leshchnko, also 53, earlier that day. The couple had arrived in Phuket as tourists and checked in at around 4pm. Leshchnko told officers that the couple argued in their room before his wife went to sit on their rear balcony. Shortly afterwards, she reportedly fell from the fourth floor, landing on the balcony two floors below.

Investigation officer Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Memkchai led the initial inquiry at the hotel. Officers examined the scene and took statements from witnesses and the husband. No other visible injuries were found on Bondarenko apart from her head wound. She was transported to hospital for emergency treatment. The case remains under investigation as police work to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the fall.

This incident has raised concerns among local authorities and hotel operators in Patong, a popular tourist destination, about guest safety and the importance of support services for visitors experiencing distress. Hotels in the area are frequently visited by international tourists, and incidents such as this can impact perceptions of safety among both residents and visitors.

The fall follows a similar recent case in Patong, where a 23-year-old Belarusian tourist suffered two broken legs and other serious injuries after attempting to climb the fire escape to her second-floor hotel room. The woman, who had forgotten her key after a night out, lost her footing and fell while attempting to access her room.

With Phuket’s tourism sector continuing to recover and attract international arrivals, local officials have urged hotels to reinforce safety protocols and provide adequate support to guests. Police have also reminded both residents and visitors to report any emergencies or suspicious circumstances immediately.

Authorities are expected to continue their investigation into the Russian tourist’s fall, reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing additional witnesses. As the high season continues, officials are encouraging hotels and other accommodation providers to review safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/russian-tourist-severely-injured-patong-hotel-fall