Tributes to man(43) killed in kite-surfing tragedy in Thailand
THE Irish man who died in a kite-surfing accident in Thailand on Wednesday has been named as Jonathan Wogan (43), a married father-of-one.
Mr Wogan was living in the coastal city of Hua Hin, and he and his wife Zulee had a girl called Mila.
Mr Wogan had lived in Blackrock, Co Louth, before moving to Thailand, and his family are well known in the county for their involvement in the furniture business.
Tributes were paid by his many friends, including some in Thailand.
Mr Wogan is also a past pupil of the Franciscan College in Gormanston, Co Meath.
The college paid tribute to him, saying he was a past pupil from the class of ’92, and a former prefect.
It said he passed away “after a tragic kite-surfing accident in Thailand. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, young daughter and the extended Wogan family. May he rest in peace”.
The parish of Dunleer also paid its respects and offered its deepest condolences to his wife and young child.
Mr Wogan was a keen kite surfer and often frequented the beach at Hua Hin, where he was well known and popular with locals and other kite surfers.
He is survived by his parents John and Nora, sister Siobhán and his brothers Alan, Niall, Ronan and David.
Friends in Thailand shared memories on Facebook.
One said: “Jonathan always carried a smile, a friendly hello, a sweet joke to cheer me up. A lad of genuine character and values.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the death of an Irish citizen and was providing consular assistance.