Beautician from Thailand battles British heirs for £400k inheritance
In an explosive legal showdown fit for a soap opera, a beautician from Thailand is taking her former British lover’s sons to the London High Court, demanding her slice of their late father’s £400,000 inheritance.
The contentious affair has captivated courtroom observers, as they watch the tug-of-war over promises, property, and pounds unfold in the British High Court.
Kanokporn Nattachai arrived in London from Thailand to square up against Simon and David Burrage, sons of the late Roger Burrage, a British builder who tragically ended his life in January this year at the age of 75.
According to Kanokporn, she’s owed nearly £200,000 (8.42 million baht), money she claims is based on promises made by the Surrey widower throughout their intense relationship in Thailand, where they shared a life filled with luxury and allure.
Burrage embarked on a new chapter of his life when he relocated to Thailand, using his construction expertise to build an opulent three-bedroom seaside villa in Hua Hin.
The luxurious abode, boasting breathtaking mountain views, sprawling grounds, a delightful outdoor pool, and enough amenities to rival any holiday resort, became the heart of their romance.
The 40 year old Thai woman, now residing solo in the villa rumoured to be worth anywhere between £100,000 (4.21 million baht) and £240,000 (10.1 million baht), has laid claim to nearly half of her lover’s estate, arguing that she played a crucial role in his business and emotional landscape.
In court documents, Kanokporn detailed her alleged financial entanglement with Burrage, citing a £200,000 loan she purportedly provided to support his business.
She insists she’s entitled to a share of the builder’s assets, reasoning that the will fails to offer her “adequate financial provision.” Her claim sets the stage for a fierce legal struggle where glitzy romance clashes with complex estate law.
However, steadfast in their pursuit of preserving their father’s wishes, Burrage’s sons, Simon and David, reject the legitimacy of Kanokporn’s demands.
Their barrister, Lydia Pemberton, acknowledges their father’s generosity during his lifetime, conceding she had received gifts, including the luxurious Hua Hin villa along with support to establish her beauty parlour.
They state these gestures fulfil any obligations to her, firmly embracing the view that the British man was never in a position, or inclined, to borrow from Kanokporn.
Central to the sons’ defence is the assertion that their father, who battled mental health issues, was especially vulnerable in his final years and that his Thai companion exploited this fragility.
“The deceased was not maintaining the claimant before his passing,” argues Pemberton, dismantling the picture of a sustained romantic partnership in Burrage’s last months.
Instead, she highlights a rift that supposedly materialised when Burrage left Thailand for the UK, a move Kanokporn allegedly tried to counteract by urging his return.
Representing Kanokporn, solicitor Manoon Junchai presents an alternative narrative, arguing that the British builder’s promises were entrenched in their emotional bond which spanned from 2016 until his return to Surrey in 2021.
He alleges Burrage portrayed their relationship as a budding business partnership tied in with romantic undertones, assuring Kanokporn financial security for their “life together.”
Her solicitor further suggests the failure to honour this commitment would be unconscionable, emphasising her contributions to Burrage’s personal and professional life.
Despite the interplay of claims and counterclaims about the couple’s financial arrangement, the proceedings reveal a more complex web of interactions and emotions.
The Burrage brothers maintain that their father’s last will, drafted in 2006, was clear in its intentions to leave his English estate to them, not her. They portray Kanokporn’s involvement as limited to the receipt of gifts and financial enhancements, refuting her active help in his UK property ventures.
Amidst these legal tit-for-tats, the court scrutinises the financial footprints and transactional history of both parties involved. Pemberton casts doubt on the Thai woman’s narrative of lending such a sizable sum, pointing out her financial independence contradicts claims of dependence on Burrage.
It is highlighted that any money transferred was linked to properties held in Kanokporn’s name, due to restrictions on foreign ownership in Thailand, rather than being contributions towards Burrage’s UK business dealings, reported The Daily Mail.
As legal drama continues to unfold, the brothers’ application for a “security for costs” order has garnered considerable attention. This protective measure seeks to ensure Kanokporn is financially prepared to handle their legal costs should her claim prove unsuccessful. If approved, it would require her to deposit funds upfront as a safety net.
The judge, Julia Clark, is presently reviewing this request, signalling that a formal decision is forthcoming. Observers eagerly anticipate her verdict, understanding it could set a significant precedent for similar future disputes involving cross-border relationships and estate claims.
As the saga spins ever more intricately, it evokes age-old questions concerning love, loyalty, and the legacy of promises.
What remains to be seen is whether whispered assurances made under the moonlit skies of Hua Hin possess enough legal standing to reshape the life of a beautician from Thailand, or if the Burrage brothers’ interpretations of their father’s intentions will prevail, maintaining the integrity of a will crafted decades earlier.
The final outcome could prove as lucrative as it is enlightening.
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