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Family Seeks Additional Funds to Bring British Crash Victim Home

A fundraising campaign is continuing to help bring a young Birmingham man back to the UK from Thailand after he suffered life-threatening injuries in a road crash. Ethan Lacey, 20, from Castle Vale, Birmingham, has spent five weeks fighting for his life with severe brain injuries, and his family is seeking to raise GBP50,000 to cover the costs of returning him home for specialist medical treatment.

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The father-of-one had travelled to Pattaya to visit his cousin during a planned four-week trip. It is believed he fell from a moving pick-up truck before being struck by the vehicle or another vehicle. Following the incident, his family discovered he was being treated in intensive care, where they were informed that life support would need to be turned off.

Ethan’s father, Kevin Lacey, travelled to Thailand to be with his son and has spoken of the difficulties the family faces while trying to understand his condition. “With communication here it’s very hard to know exactly what’s going on,” he said. “So that’s why we’re desperate to get him home for the medical treatment he really needs.”

The family later learned that Ethan had extended his stay in Thailand shortly before the incident. However, they said he had forgotten to renew his travel insurance, leaving them responsible for significant medical and repatriation costs.

Friends, relatives and members of the local community have rallied behind the fundraising effort. A recent fundraising event was held to support the campaign, with volunteers collecting donations across the area.

Family friend Lucy Regan, who helped organise the fundraiser, praised the community response. “Everyone has come together to help,” she said. “It’s been absolutely outstanding.”

Supporter Nicola Campbell said volunteers had been working hard to raise funds. “We’ve been around the streets, we’ve been everywhere that we can with buckets collecting as much money as we can,” she said. “And we haven't let anyone go past us without tapping us for some change.”

Her daughter, Nelly-May, also voiced support for Ethan’s return, saying: “He should have the same chance to see his family like everyone else.”

The BBC reported that the fundraising campaign continues as the family works to reach its GBP50,000 target. Supporters hope enough money can be raised to allow Ethan to return to the UK, where he can receive the ongoing medical treatment his family believes he needs.

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Picture of Lucy Regan courtesy of BBC

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Foreigner-hurt-after-jumping-from-pickup-in-Pattaya

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image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now BBC 24 June 2026

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Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
3 hours ago, J Branche said:

If the guy is in such bad shape and you've raised 24,000 British pounds or approximately 1,000,000 baht why wouldn't you transfer the guy to a better private hospital

  1. They'd have to pay the bill in the current hospital first.

  2. They'd have to find another hospital willing to take him in that condition knowing that they haven't got any money.

That's why.

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Unless brain dead, with the 1M THB already, why won't a better hospital admit him ???

Because those alternative hospitals know they haven't got money to pay the bill.

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

So the owner of the truck (private or baht bus ???) along with the other vehicle that hit him, were not insured ?

The victim would have to make a claim on it first but as someone else has already pointed out his insurance probably doesn't cover illegal passengers falling out of the back of his pickup.

There's been no confirmation that there was a second vehicle involved, has there?

WHansen Silver Member

WHansen

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

How do twenty-year-olds have the money for four-week international holidays?

Kids today have it so tough

Working hard since 16 years old would be my guess. It's only a £3k holiday.

jcmj Gold Member

jcmj

Advanced Member

If anyone thinks 70 baht, let alone any money, will come out of the 300 baht charge is crazy. Just ways that they are making it sound like a good idea. By the time everyone gets paid off for the 300 baht charge, there won’t be that much left.

CG1 Blue Gold Member

CG1 Blue

Advanced Member
10 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

It is believed he fell from a moving pick-up truck before being struck by the vehicle

I still can't work out how it's possible for someone to fall from a pickup and be hit by that same pickup. Unless he was riding on the bonnet.

Sadly even if the lad survives he's most likely going to be severely disabled mentally and physically. Might've been kinder all round if he hadn't survived the accident.

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Is the real reason they want the NHS government to pay

The tone of your comment suggests that that would be something to be frowned upon. Why shouldn't they want to take advantage of something that they're entitled to?

Upnotover Ruby Member

Upnotover

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

So the owner of the truck (private or baht bus ???) along with the other vehicle that hit him, were not insured ???

Unless brain dead, with the 1M THB already, why won't a better hospital admit him ???

All sounding a bit fishy.

Originally he jumped from the pickup which then somehow ran him over. Then he had fallen from it. Or was thrown from it following an argument. The consistent element is that despite this occurring at a busy junction on 3rd road in broad daylight there seems to have been no CCTV or dashcam evidence produced, at least none that I have seen. This is surprising as there normally seems to be CCTV in even remotely located incidents.

J Branche Gold Member

J Branche

Advanced Member
40 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

There are no coverage amounts because there is no such fee.

Yes that is why I said talking about, as in discussing. In a discussion like that they would talk about what coverage amount they want. This would effect the potential cost of the policy.

The Nation Thailand reported Mar 26

"The incoming "Anutin 2" administration is set to fast-track the controversial tourism entry fee, with Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirming the proposal will be tabled during the government’s first Cabinet meeting."²

It does seem like Anutin is motivated to address some key issues that have been talked about for a while

Lung Mark Apprentice Member

Lung Mark

Member

Schengen countries require proof of insurance before issuing visas. Why not Thailand? Would be too simple.

kingstonkid Ruby Member

kingstonkid

Advanced Member
33 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

The tone of your comment suggests that that would be something to be frowned upon. Why shouldn't they want to take advantage of something that they're entitled to?

Not so much arguing that the NHS is a bad thing to use, but I wonder if the cost to move him will be met. I would think that keeping him here and letting him stabilize, then moving him, might be a better idea.

34 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Originally he jumped from the pickup which then somehow ran him over. Then he had fallen from it. Or was thrown from it following an argument. The consistent element is that despite this occurring at a busy junction on 3rd road in broad daylight there seems to have been no CCTV or dashcam evidence produced, at least none that I have seen. This is surprising as there normally seems to be CCTV in even remotely located incidents.

I think that is the bigger point; however, what are the chances that the driver of the truck has enough insurance to pay? You can bet that until the insurance company sees the witness statements and the video, they are going to say he jumped.

kingstonkid Ruby Member

kingstonkid

Advanced Member
36 minutes ago, J Branche said:

Yes that is why I said talking about, as in discussing. In a discussion like that they would talk about what coverage amount they want. This would effect the potential cost of the policy.

The Nation Thailand reported Mar 26

"The incoming "Anutin 2" administration is set to fast-track the controversial tourism entry fee, with Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirming the proposal will be tabled during the government’s first Cabinet meeting."²

It does seem like Anutin is motivated to address some key issues that have been talked about for a while

zI am willing to bet tht there will be baht limits on the coverage. Thai hospitals are going under as it is financially so the more they can get from outside insurance or families the better.

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
3 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

Not so much arguing that the NHS is a bad thing to use, but I wonder if the cost to move him will be met

Obviously, the NHS would not be paying that!

Upnotover Ruby Member

Upnotover

Advanced Member
11 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Obviously, the NHS would not be paying that!

Indeed. The family already appealed to the government through their local MP for help and were, quite rightly, informed that there would be no financial help for treatment (in Thailand) or repatriation.

Sigmund Gold Member

Sigmund

Advanced Member

Why does the UK government not impose mandatory travel insurance for their citizens who travel abroad and verify during the check-in process at the counter ? After all they do check if you have appropriate visas when you check-in your luggage....

Not wishing any harm to anybody, but it's just a bit too easy not to be responsable and then ask for donators to fund one's own negligence. And this racket is happening mostly with the Brits who do not have any kind of accident or health insurance. Sorry, no offense please to my brit chums. 🙏

Stocky Ruby Member

Stocky

Advanced Member

To all those suggesting mandatory insurance, fine, but there's no mandatory pay out. Doesn't matter what insurance he could have had, they won't pay out for an accident occurring whilst travelling in the tray of a pick-up. Or indeed if alcohol/drugs are involved.

VocalNeal Star Member

VocalNeal

Advanced Member

^ Which is why I suggested the New Zealand based "No Fault" system.

Kiwi system

Our no-fault scheme covers everyone, including visitors, who are injured in an accident in Aotearoa New Zealand.

kingstonkid Ruby Member

kingstonkid

Advanced Member
6 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

^ Which is why I suggested the New Zealand based "No Fault" system.

Kiwi system

The system here doesn't have enough money to look after Thais, let alone the brain-dead that leave their thinking units at check-in at their country's airport.

How long do you think it would take to screw that system if NZ attracted the people and numbers that come here.

Canada also has the system but it gets overwhelmed as well Tax payers pay for it.

geisha Platinum Member

geisha

Advanced Member
10 hours ago, gravity101 said:

"And we haven't let anyone go past us without tapping us for some change"

Did she have to use the word 'tapping'

I think she meant “ tapping us on the shoulder” to give them some change,

geisha Platinum Member

geisha

Advanced Member
2 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Why does the UK government not impose mandatory travel insurance for their citizens who travel abroad and verify during the check-in process at the counter ? After all they do check if you have appropriate visas when you check-in your luggage....

Not wishing any harm to anybody, but it's just a bit too easy not to be responsable and then ask for donators to fund one's own negligence. And this racket is happening mostly with the Brits who do not have any kind of accident or health insurance. Sorry, no offense please to my brit chums. 🙏

I agree, it should be Thai Law . The tourist country could list Travel Insurance with best companies mentioned. The Thai hospitals all know the good insurance companies.

GoodieAfterDark Silver Member

GoodieAfterDark

Advanced Member
9 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

How do twenty-year-olds have the money for four-week international holidays?

Kids today have it so tough

Well, "Go find me".

kingstonkid Ruby Member

kingstonkid

Advanced Member
54 minutes ago, geisha said:

I agree, it should be Thai Law . The tourist country could list Travel Insurance with best companies mentioned. The Thai hospitals all know the good insurance companies.

The good companies have one HUGE reason for not covering people.

Most who are seriously injured also suffer from the "left my brain in home country" syndrome.

That cancels the coverage of most. Also, a lot of them do not have the hospital bill us directly; they pay and then collect.

The other issue is the items that are paid. Many pay only the going rate in their home country. Also, they will not pay the inflated prices of the Bangkok Hospital Group.

daejung Gold Member

daejung

Advanced Member

Does this kind of situation mainly happen to British nationals, or do we just hear about the British cases more often?

bristolgeoff Platinum Member

bristolgeoff

Advanced Member

Travel insurance would have helped,once again the begging bowl comes out.Sorry that is something for the family or man injured to have correct instead of begging it happens too much now

rattlesnake Diamond Member

rattlesnake

Advanced Member
19 hours ago, hanbla said:

Sorry for Ethan but why do people never learn to make sure they have an insurance?

-Forgot to renew

-Didn't buy insurance

-Thought I had insurance.

And when it's too late ..

Well never mind let's start a fundraising instead .

It should be mandatory to have insurance. If no insurance, no visa.

Yes. No insurance, immigration doesn't clear you. They did it during Covid so it's definitely feasible.

rattlesnake Diamond Member

rattlesnake

Advanced Member
17 hours ago, impulse said:

FFS, they denied payment to a lady who was injured on a pony ride. Claimed it was a dangerous activity, and not covered. They'd have a field day with "riding in the back of a pickup".

They even denied it to that Australian woman who tripped while walking out of a bar and fell into a coma. Phuket, I think it was. "Drunk", said the insurance, based on a waiter's testimony and without any testing done.

rattlesnake Diamond Member

rattlesnake

Advanced Member
12 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Why does the UK government not impose mandatory travel insurance for their citizens who travel abroad and verify during the check-in process at the counter ? After all they do check if you have appropriate visas when you check-in your luggage....

Not wishing any harm to anybody, but it's just a bit too easy not to be responsable and then ask for donators to fund one's own negligence. And this racket is happening mostly with the Brits who do not have any kind of accident or health insurance. Sorry, no offense please to my brit chums. 🙏

You can't stop a person from leaving a country (except if that person has committed a crime). A country can, however, stop a person from entering their territory. This is an issue Thailand needs to tackle.

rattlesnake Diamond Member

rattlesnake

Advanced Member
4 hours ago, daejung said:

Does this kind of situation mainly happen to British nationals, or do we just hear about the British cases more often?

I don't mean to Brit-bash (I am half British myself), but they do tend to drink a lot and be reckless when drunk.

In this case, though, there is no indication of intoxication.


rattlesnake Diamond Member

rattlesnake

Advanced Member
37 minutes ago, bristolgeoff said:

Travel insurance would have helped,once again the begging bowl comes out.Sorry that is something for the family or man injured to have correct instead of begging it happens too much now

But these fundraising campaigns are always very successful, so why would they not? The 21st century is the era of online collectivism, so be it.

jacko45k Star Member

jacko45k

Advanced Member
21 hours ago, hanbla said:

It should be mandatory to have insurance. If no insurance, no visa.

He is Brtish, no Visa required.

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