British man’s Thailand trip goes from heaven to prison hell (video)
A British man ventured to Thailand anticipating nothing more than a peaceful, sun-drenched escape, yet, his dream holiday rapidly descended into a nightmare after a seemingly trivial mishap spiralled into a chain of catastrophic events.
Arrested, assaulted, and stripped of his belongings, Andrew Hopkins’ tale unfolds as a chilling reminder for would-be travellers drawn to the Land of Smiles.
It all began on an unassuming night in Pattaya. The 55 year old man decided to take a leisurely evening stroll from his Airbnb, unaware that this decision would turn his trip upside down.
As he meandered through his neighbourhood, fate took an unfortunate terrible twist when he accidentally walked into a neighbour’s entrance sign.
“At 21st 8lbs (137 kilos), it was inevitable I’d cause a bit of damage but little did I know the storm it would provoke.”
Almost immediately, the sounds of anger pierced the night as two security guards revealed themselves, shouting furiously in Thai.
Despite his heartfelt apologies and an offer to compensate for the damage, their rage was unquenchable, said Hopkins. Within minutes, the scene escalated further when local police arrived, and the British man found himself forcibly thrown into the back of a pickup truck.
Locked up in a cell for the next 36 hours, Hopkins’ bewilderment turned to fear.
“They threw me into jail, with an English guy inside advising me to comply, and eventually, they’d set me free.”
It was only after an Italian stranger arrived, instructing him to withdraw 15,000 baht (£360) as a fine, that Hopkins’ release was negotiated, reported the Daily Mail.
Once out, the British man’s relief was short-lived. On returning to his Airbnb, he encountered a hostile reception from the host’s wife, who was furiously waving his room key.
“They’d cancelled my booking and insisted I leave immediately.”
Desperate to gather his belongings, Hopkins asked for a brief reprieve to collect his things. Hesitantly, they agreed.
Inside the apartment, a strange chemical odour greeted him.
“It seemed like they’d tried to drug me.”
His suitcase was filled haphazardly, and most alarmingly, considerable cash and valuables had vanished. His Cooperative Bank debit card, MBNA credit card, phone chargers, and a hidden stash of £1,230 (51,600 baht) in cash, all missing.
Hopkins confronted the woman, only to face accusations about smoking on the balcony.
“There was an ashtray there. I even had a video to prove it.”
Things escalated further when the police made a swift return. This time, the encounter turned even more brutal.
“They attacked me, handcuffed me to a pickup, and dragged me back to jail.”
Hopkins left with his arm bound to the cell bars, he endured unspeakable indignities.
“I had to urinate over myself. Lying there in my own fluids, I was stripped of any dignity.”
Frustrated and helpless, Hopkins resorted to singing songs like “Country Roads,” “God Save the King,” and “Half the World Away” to get someone’s attention.
Eventually, the officers released him but his troubles were far from over. His Thai mobile, a Galaxy s21, was missing, along with more cash.
Worse, fraudulent charges of £450 cropped up on his debit card but the bank refused to help.
“They wouldn’t even check the CCTV from the 7-Eleven.”
Adding insult to injury, the £480 cash stash was gone, along with his beloved trainers and flipflops, leaving him barefoot and bewildered. As a small consolation, he was handed £120 in cash and left to fend for himself.
Back in the UK, Hopkins struggled with the aftermath, revealing ongoing physical pain, infections, and PTSD.
“I ended up booking a business-class flight home with Emirates for £1,800 because I simply couldn’t sit properly.”
Now, Hopkins is embroiled in battles with Airbnb insurers and his travel insurance, while the UK Home Office has taken his plight to the Thai authorities.
Sharing his experience as a warning, Andrew noted: “Tourists in Thailand have zero rights, and are seen as easy targets.”
“They call it the Land of Smiles but that fades once the bills stop being paid. If you ever find yourself in a situation over there, keep your cool, stay quiet, and never, under any circumstances, question their authority.”
What should have been a blissful escape became a stark lesson in caution and cultural understanding. Hopkins’ story is a poignant reminder that paradise can quickly turn perilous.
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