Friends and colleagues were shocked to hear that Torgeir Norling, 37, had died after being hit by a bus near the Rajprasong intersection not far from the Erawan Shrine just before dawn, Jim Pollard from The Nation reported yesterday.
Tor, as he was known, was a veteran of combat zones around the world, having reported in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor, Sri Lanka, Aceh as well as autonomous regions in north-eastern Burma.
A resident in Thailand for close to 10 years, he became well-known after helping to set up the Rain Dogs bar off Rama IV Road. It became a popular haunt of writers, photographers and musicians, with regular screenings of documentaries, photo shows and bands.
Norling, just back from a trip home to see his family and friends (his father was also a journalist), wrote mainly for Norwegian and Scandinavian papers and magazines.
He was well regarded for his reports on human rights abuses and the traumas endured in areas of conflict. Indeed, many were surprised that a man who appeared not to fear the dangers of war should suffer such a fate.
Andrew Marshall, the British author and correspondent for Time, said, according to The Nation: “The journalism community is reeling, and not just here in Bangkok. Tor was a brave and passionate reporter, a foreign correspondent to the core, whose job took him to difficult and dangerous places worldwide. He was much loved and will be missed in many countries.”
In a note on Facebook, film cameraman Richie Moore said his friend was “fearless” and determined “about telling these stories that we so desperately need to hear”.
Police at Lumpini station are believed to have charged the driver of the bus which struck Norling, although exact details about the crash are still vague.
Colleagues said he was walking home after a late night with friends.
Norling is survived by his Thai wife Jum and son Trym, 3. A service with Buddhist rites is expected to be held at Klong Toei Nai temple in the coming days.
