World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Thomas Ong fractures ankle during Japan holiday and returns to Singapore
Singaporean actor Thomas Ong fractured his right ankle during a solo holiday in Japan.
The 57-year-old slipped on wet stone steps after photographing a waterfall on Oct 25.
He drove himself to a local hospital, where an X-ray confirmed the fracture.
Ong chose to let the bone heal naturally rather than have surgery or wear a cast, and was told recovery would take about six weeks.
He has returned to Singapore and is staying with family while he recovers.
The injury cut short a planned 45-day trip through Japan's mountainous regions.
Ong is scheduled to lead a tour group in Europe on Dec 7, six weeks after the injury, and said the timing may allow him to go.
Singaporean actor Thomas Ong fractured his right ankle during a solo holiday in Japan and returned to Singapore to recover.
He slipped on wet stone steps after photographing a waterfall on Oct 25.
Ong drove himself to a local hospital, where an X-ray confirmed the fracture.
He chose to let the bone heal naturally rather than undergo surgery or wear a cast.
His 45-day self-drive trip ended early, but he said he planned to lead a tour group in Europe on Dec 7.
- Who
- Singaporean actor Thomas Ong.
- What
- He fractured his right ankle during a solo holiday in Japan and returned to Singapore to recover.
- When
- Oct 25. The article was published on Nov 3, 2026.
- Where
- In Japan; the article says he slipped on wet stone steps after photographing a waterfall.
- Why
- He slipped on wet steps while travelling. He had been photographing a waterfall.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ong said he had lost his wallet on the second day of his Japan trip.
He slipped on wet stone steps after photographing a waterfall and fractured his right ankle.
Ong said in a Facebook post that he had chosen to let the bone heal naturally.
He had returned to Singapore and was staying with family while recovering.
Ong was scheduled to leave for Europe to lead a tour group.
- Age
- 57
- Trip plan
- 45-day solo self-drive holiday in Japan
- Injury date
- Oct 25
- Injury
- Fractured right ankle
- Recovery estimate
- Around six weeks, according to the treatment advice he received
- Europe tour
- Scheduled to leave on Dec 7 to lead a tour group
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What people are saying
At first, I thought it was just a sprain. I didn't expect the injury to be more serious than I thought.
If this accident had happened two weeks later, I might not have been able to make it for my Europe tour in December.
The souvenirs I'm bringing home from Japan this time? A pair of crutches.
At least I can still walk and my phone is still working. Let's move on!