Thai-ed up: British man’s terrifying prison ordeal in Thailand

A British man from Birmingham revealed the harrowing tale of his five-month ordeal in a Thai prison, labelling the conditions as inhumane and horrendous.

Jamie Morton was teaching English in Thailand when he got entangled in the local drug and alcohol scene.

In January 2019, Morton was accosted by eight individuals on a street corner, who then whisked him away to the IDC detention centre. Describing his time there as a nightmare, the 30 year old British man recalled how inmates were only allowed outside for one or two hours a day, with running water available for just a few hours. By May of the same year, he was released and flown back to London, where he expressed immense joy at returning to England.

Since then, Morton has radically changed his life, giving up alcohol and marrying his partner, Faaizah. Now an online coach based in Birmingham, West Midlands, England the British man reflected on his tumultuous past.

“I was young, living in Thailand and working illegally as a teacher.”

After his tourist visa expired, Morton fell into a dangerous crowd, leading him into the drug and alcohol scene.

“I got into the wrong crowd of people. I ended up being taken in by undercover police. I was standing on the street corner, and suddenly eight people surrounded me and took me to prison.”

Morton described the appalling conditions in the cell, crammed with 180 people.

“It was a nightmare; the conditions were so inhumane and horrendous. You never knew when your end date would be. It was very frustrating.”

Morton was handed a five-year ban on travelling to Thailand, which ends this year.

“It was an amazing feeling to leave that prison but I wasn’t convinced until the plane took off. Once I arrived in the UK, I was elated to be back on English soil and see my family again.”

Going sober

Despite the initial relief, the Brummie struggled with old habits, frequently visiting pubs. However, in September 2022, he decided to quit drinking for good.

“I started to get into some minor scrapes with the law when I got back and realised enough was enough.”

After giving up alcohol, Morton found love with his wife Faaizah in October 2022, and they married on August 15 last year. Now, he dedicates his life to helping others avoid his past mistakes.

“Being married has completely changed me but I still have that temptation every day to go back to drink.”

Through his online coaching venture, Morton aims to guide young men in fitness and steer them away from alcohol, reported Birmingham Mail UK.

“I have a totally different life now, but I still have my moments where I contemplate going to the pub. I want to teach young men how to swerve a drink.”