British man’s Thailand trip goes from heaven to prison hell (video)

[webfact]

Pictures courtesy of the Daily Mail

 

by Bob Scott 

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.”

 

Pictures courtesy of the Daily Mail

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.

 

Pictures courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

 

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.

 

Pictures courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-02-03

 

 

[hotsun]

Seems like this guy had some bad luck. Still though, anybody that comes here should realize that its a third world country and life is more random

[Smokey and the Bandit]

There has to be more to this story!🙄

[proton]

Seem to recall these images supporting another story not so long ago, over stayer?. The Airbnb was letting illegally if under a month of course, I'd like to be the first to say there must be more to this story, smokey beat me to it

[rocketboy2]

Not nice Thailand.

All sounds like one big scam.

Good to see the story in the uk papers. 

 

[wlx]

13 minutes ago, proton said:

Seem to recall these images supporting another story not so long ago, over stayer?. The Airbnb was letting illegally if under a month of course, I'd like to be the first to say there must be more to this story, smokey beat me to it

https://aseannow.com/topic/1349356-banged-up-thai-prison-nightmare-exposed-by-british-tourist/

 

[mikeymike100]

Many people, millions, go to Thailand and have a great time, some get into minor trouble, but this seems beyond anything plausible. Certainly not saying he is lying, but the chain of events here seem very strange.

[Briggsy]

I have heard from somebody that worked with the Tourist Police, that once a farang is arrested for something not trivial, the police will go to their room to retrieve their passport and once in the room they may steal their cash, valuables, etc. This is apparently more likely if the foreigner has angered the police. Just salacious gossip or truth, who knows?

[PomPolo]

Jeez now that is one bad day, I actually lost track of his misadventures reading it "more to the story" is probably right"  lived here 20 years and have never heard a series of events like this happen to anyone

[simon43]

Choose the best fit explanation for the initial accident:

 

- Meth-head

- drunk out of his mind

- trying to run away from the ladyboy who had just er... shafted him (for money I mean)

- trying to find a ladyboy to shaft

- mentally mad as a box of chocolates

- fatter than a fat elephant and smashing everything in his path

- wholly innocent of any of the above and was on his way to the local temple

[Zaphod Priest]

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

his beloved trainers and flipflops

 

You couldn't make this stuff up!

[Nickcage49]

32 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

There has to be more to this story!🙄

Exactly. I question the incident where he damaged private property. That wasn’t explained.

[jdstrange]

Good Guys go to Heaven. 
Bad Boys go to Immigration Detention Center. 

[Briggsy]

These are the same pictures as the guy from 2 weeks who claimed to have been arrested for "a few days overstay". His story is full of holes.

[1happykamper]

So his weight knocked over some sort of sign and everyone went nuts at him? 

 

Very very strange. A lot of violence and theft of his stuff for no reason... seemingly 

[smedly]

I think there are gaps to this story with a touch of amnesia 

[Liverpool Lou]

23 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Many people, millions, go to Thailand and have a great time, some get into minor trouble, but this seems beyond anything plausible. Certainly not saying he is lying, but the chain of events here seem very strange.

Yes, it is a chain of events designed to make a good story for the Mail.

[Coxy]

The land of smiles eh !!!!!!

sadly this is becoming more common these days and will hurt the tourist industry which Thailand desperately needs just now.

[Liverpool Lou]

11 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

I have heard from somebody that worked with the Tourist Police, that once a farang is arrested for something not trivial, the police will go to their room to retrieve their passport and once in the room they may steal their cash, valuables, etc. This is apparently more likely if the foreigner has angered the police. Just salacious gossip or truth, who knows?

Just salacious gossip or truth, who knows?

[harryviking]

WELCOME TO THAILAND! THE LAND OF SMILES!!! Yeah, sure....🙄🙄

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, Zaphod Priest said:

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

his beloved trainers and flipflops

 

You couldn't make this stuff up!

But they do.

[1FinickyOne]

42 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

There has to be more to this story!🙄

my first thought

[Liverpool Lou]

4 minutes ago, smedly said:

I think there are gaps to this story with a touch of amnesia 

I think there are gaps to this story and a huge touch of exaggeration and fantasy to extract a payday from the Daily Mail.  

[Briggsy]

55-years-old is an unusual age for this kind of stuff to be happening. I would love to know this guy's history. I don't believe his two different stories for a moment, even more so, when he has an ongoing insurance claim.

[brewsterbudgen]

Don't believe anything you read in the Daily Mail!

[PomPolo]

Hopefully he won't leave a bad review about the place on AirBNB or he won't make it out of the country!

[Andycoops]

Appears no locked safe in the room either, as that would have made his valuables hardy to get at, if indeed the story isn't a Jackanory...

[PomPolo]

33 minutes ago, wlx said:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1349356-banged-up-thai-prison-nightmare-exposed-by-british-tourist/

 

Yeah some duplication for sure this one was about a guy that wanted to start a business and his misses got him banged up same photo of the fat guy on the floor and exposed the harsh prison conditions.

This one appears to be totally different and a case of walking into a property he shouldn't very confusing hopefully someone can clarify.

[alex8912]

25 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Choose the best fit explanation for the initial accident:

 

- Meth-head

- drunk out of his mind

- trying to run away from the ladyboy who had just er... shafted him (for money I mean)

- trying to find a ladyboy to shaft

- mentally mad as a box of chocolates

- fatter than a fat elephant and smashing everything in his path

- wholly innocent of any of the above and was on his way to the local temple

That bowling ball on his 301 pound of lard body ( #6) with some (#2) is my vote. Also a little #5 but he obviously ate all the boxes! 

[PomPolo]

The size of him I reckon he'll be in cargo class on the way home which he will be soon given the amount of trouble he seems to get himself into and the 2 news stories created about him