British Couple's Thailand Dream Becomes Legal Nightmare

[Ralf001]

Just now, GroveHillWanderer said:

 

 

Incidentally, according to an article in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, the other couple involved were a British man with a Thai wife, not a Thai couple. 

 

 

Hahahahahaha Brittle on Brittle... the gofundme algorithm would be going into melt down !

[FritsSikkink]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

Best not to argue with the natives, even when in the right

Nonsense, done it multiple times and am still here.

[Gecko123]

I've seen the tactic used before of filing frivolous counter claims in an assault case in an effort to pressure the injured party to drop the charges. If the couple was in the right, I would trust in the court's ability to fairly assess the relative credibility of the two parties. Only caveat is, on the assumption that they are unable to do it themselves, that they have a bi-lingual lawyer who can be trusted to effectively communicate their side of the story to the court.

[smedly]

stories like this come down to one thing IMO

 

money

 

Why is this elderly couple still in Thailand, they need to get out now

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

However, in a baffling twist, the Byrnes were later arrested on counter charges alleging they caused "superficial injuries and mental anguish" to their attackers. Now, as their court date looms on March 12, the couple is grappling with a daunting legal battle, fearing a likely prison sentence.

I hope the court does the right thing.... but knowing Thailand it probably won't

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I didn't even hire a lawyer, all done by public prosecutor, my only expense was 2x court translator fee (required by police) at 1,000bht a time.

Having to sell a villa for legal fees sounds a scam in and of itself. What do those villas cost in Hua Hin? Like 5m baht and up. Hard to believe how any lawyer could be charging that.

[Aviatorhi]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

2023

 

At times, Thailand's regression into third world mentality is deeply worrying. Anyone, esp foreigners, can find themselves in trouble real quick. Best not to argue with the natives, even when in the right, though of course if you're getting shafted, what do you do...

Hope these guys find justice and can move on.

 

Too often people try to solve disputes themselves. When in doubt use legal means... All "disputes" I have had were always resolved with 20K-30K baht of legal posturing. Most people stare the costs of a court case and back down immediately - especially if teased with a "middle ground" carrot. 

[IvorBiggun2]

26 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

Not any more....

Your source ?????

 

 

Quote

Foreigners cannot legally own property in Thailand, therefore in order to have a long-term property in Thailand; foreigners can get into a lease agreement.

 

Google is your friend.

[NorthernRyland]

I want to hear more about this land dispute. What could have happened? Before you build anything you obviously need to define your property boundaries and any disputes should have happened with the land office involved.

[Card]

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Brit probably got a bit lippy with the Thais.

And got a fat lip. 
It amazes me how some farangs, and especially us Brits, think they can talk down and yell at the locals without any consequences.

Your fantasy of blaming the victims for the crime

[harleyclarkey]

Too many ignorant inhumane comments here.

This elderly, read again,  elderly couple were savagely attacked and beaten up by two really brave punk Thais. Two low life scumbags. No matter what they did or whatever about that land, this is assault and battery causing grievous harm,

But then in racist, corrupt Thailand this is just another day for those thugs in brown to side with their fellow low life..

[GroveHillWanderer]

2 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

I want to hear more about this land dispute. What could have happened? Before you build anything you obviously need to define your property boundaries and any disputes should have happened with the land office involved.

Try reading the Sun article. It gives a number of details about what exactly the dispute involved. 

[stix40]

Every time I read about Thai fighting farang it always has details like falang on the floor being repeatly kicked in the head by more than one person!

Well fecking animals and cowards especially if the person on the floor is elderly! 

Best advice let Thai deal with Thai ! 

[Aussie999]

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Brit probably got a bit lippy with the Thais.

And got a fat lip. 
It amazes me how some farangs, and especially us Brits, think they can talk down and yell at the locals without any consequences.

and then we have lowlifes... like yourself... with no redeeming qualities at all.

[Peterphuket]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

2023

 

At times, Thailand's regression into third world mentality is deeply worrying. Anyone, esp foreigners, can find themselves in trouble real quick. Best not to argue with the natives, even when in the right, though of course if you're getting shafted, what do you do...

Hope these guys find justice and can move on.

Despite having lived here for more than 27 years, I am aware of this daily, you always need to have a plan B in countries like this.

Additionally, I must admit that disasters of this kind cannot be avoided, in this case ‘plan B’ will not provide a solution either.

[mikeymike100]

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Brit probably got a bit lippy with the Thais.

And got a fat lip. 
It amazes me how some farangs, and especially us Brits, think they can talk down and yell at the locals without any consequences.

Of course you have evidence of this??????

[GroveHillWanderer]

10 minutes ago, harleyclarkey said:

Too many ignorant inhumane comments here.

This elderly, read again,  elderly couple were savagely attacked and beaten up by two really brave punk Thais.

 

 

9 minutes ago, stix40 said:

Every time I read about Thai fighting farang it always has details like falang on the floor being repeatly kicked in the head by more than one person!

Well fecking animals and cowards especially if the person on the floor is elderly! 

Best advice let Thai deal with Thai ! 

It appears the other couple were a British man with a Thai wife, not two Thais.

 

It's definitely horrendous aggression committed by a younger couple against an elderly couple, though.

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

Like you did to your country.

why stay on a sinking ship?

[shackleton]

Well if they have sold their home in Hua Hin to fund their court costs

Not looking good for their future stay in Thailand 

And there's me thinking Hua Hin was the place to retire 🤔 

 

[Ausie11]

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

 

Ya been up there for years. You bother no one, treat everyone nice, spend money, easily recognizable, Thai wife and kid, you are a rice bowl. Its not that big a place, everyone talks, they know who you are.

 

Rice Bowl.

 

Asians dont break their rice bowl unless they have to. There is something else going on in this story.

You are full of it. Your protection is your Thai wife. And what is one supposed to do? just bend over to any <deleted> ? They love our money so, its them who should be polite

[baabaaloo]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

2023

 

At times, Thailand's regression into third world mentality is deeply worrying. Anyone, esp foreigners, can find themselves in trouble real quick. Best not to argue with the natives, even when in the right, though of course if you're getting shafted, what do you do...

Hope these guys find justice and can move on.

The russians get into trouble all the time all over Thailand and get away with it, better seek retirement in Vietnam or Philippines, much safer and affordable.

[CarlBkk]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

The police and court system in Thailand have treated me really well.

Nobody asked for bribes, attacker was traced and caught, cash compensation was paid, sentencing to come in May.

When the guy said it was all my fault, the judge turned to him and said "find a better defense, you're going to jail".

Not been quick though, happened in Oct 23, sentencing in May 25 ....... 18 months from start to finish.

 

I didn't even hire a lawyer, all done by public prosecutor, my only expense was 2x court translator fee (required by police) at 1,000bht a time.

What happened in your instance?

[Dogmatix]

That what lawyers do here. The missus took someone to court upcountry for land encroachment because they sold her their agricultural land and leased it back from her but stopped paying the rent and refused to vacate it or let the wife's new tenants work the land. She was countersued with a complete cock and bull story made up by a lawyer accusing her of being a loan shark but unsupported by any hard evidence.  Luckily the judges didn't believe any of it and ordered the family to either start paying rent or vacate the land within 6 months.

 

[Yagoda]

6 minutes ago, Ausie11 said:

You are full of it. Your protection is your Thai wife. And what is one supposed to do? just bend over to any <deleted> ? They love our money so, its them who should be polite

Well thats not the type of attitude that folks who make a successful life here have but if you want to play Bwana, dont expect folks to jump to your defense.

 

I dont have a Thai wife and I do just fine. Attitude.

[roo860]

27 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

I've seen the tactic used before of filing frivolous counter claims in an assault case in an effort to pressure the injured party to drop the charges. If the couple was in the right, I would trust in the court's ability to fairly assess the relative credibility of the two parties. Only caveat is, on the assumption that they are unable to do it themselves, that they have a bi-lingual lawyer who can be trusted to effectively communicate their side of the story to the court.

Deleted 

[Dont confuse me]

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

as neither of them can own land... how did they end up in a land dispute ?

Actually they can! Well at least  49% with 2 other 'investers' having 17% each. (In their company) 

Making them majority share holders and their house becomes their company office.

I owned a property for 6 years like this, sold it at a profit and moved onto the next one using the same system.

[roo860]

27 minutes ago, smedly said:

stories like this come down to one thing IMO

 

money

 

Why is this elderly couple still in Thailand, they need to get out now

Apparently the court has confiscated their passports 

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of The Sun

 

An elderly British couple, Des and Mary Byrne, originally from Middlesbrough, are facing a possible jail sentence in Thailand despite being victims of a brutal assault in their dream retirement destination.

 

The distressing saga began when the couple, who moved to Thailand in 2020 to build their ideal villa, found themselves embroiled in a terrifying land dispute that culminated in violence and subsequent legal troubles.

 

In December 2023, the Byrnes’ peaceful retirement was upended when they encountered a violent confrontation in their garden with a younger couple allegedly versed in Thai boxing.

 

Des Byrne, 77, describes how an argument over garden territory escalated into a violent assault. Des was reportedly knocked out and severely beaten, while his wife, Mary, 69, was attacked and left with significant injuries, including a heart condition resulting from the assault.

 

The incident, captured on CCTV, initially led to the arrest of their attackers. The assailants reportedly confessed in August, agreeing to pay compensation to the Byrnes.

 

However, in a baffling twist, the Byrnes were later arrested on counter charges alleging they caused "superficial injuries and mental anguish" to their attackers. Now, as their court date looms on March 12, the couple is grappling with a daunting legal battle, fearing a likely prison sentence.

 

Picture of Des and Mary Byrne courtesy of Middlesbrough Gazette

 

Retired from careers in chemical engineering and nursing, the Byrnes' plight has caught the attention of their family and broader UK public, sparking urgent appeals for government intervention.

 

Despite ongoing advocacy, the couple remains languishing in legal limbo, with Mary Byrne describing their situation as a dire miscarriage of justice. The family has reached out to British political figures, hoping for support from the Foreign Office under David Lammy.

 

Mary’s brother, Tim Maley, voices the family's anguish, stressing the stark injustice faced by the Byrnes. Meanwhile, the couple has been forced to sell their Hua Hin villa to fund their legal costs, illustrating the severe financial and emotional toll they are enduring.

 

This complex situation highlights the challenges faced by expatriates navigating legal frameworks abroad and underscores the critical need for diplomatic support.

 

For the Byrnes, what was once a dream of retiring in paradise has turned into a stressful, ongoing ordeal that places a sombre lens on their golden years. As they await their court hearing, support from the British government is crucial to resolving this case and potentially averting a gross injustice, reported Then Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-10

 

 

 

Well, I suppose he replied not only by words about the garden dispute. And some kind of diplomacy would have been advised. So, face it 🤗

[Yagoda]

8 minutes ago, baabaaloo said:

The russians get into trouble all the time all over Thailand and get away with it, better seek retirement in Vietnam or Philippines, much safer and affordable.

Yeah well the problem here in Siem Reap is even more deritus is winding up here since the Visas are so much easier. Because equinox is coming up (bet ya they hit 300,000 visitors this month) the cops are tossing out the flotsam and jetsam that other wise washes up here.

 

Thats not even counting all of us oldsters, why pay Bangkok prices when you are too old for Bangkok attractions except on a once a month basis. Retirement Visa here and look decent and you are waved in and out.

[twizzian]

(hoping for support from the Foreign Office under “David Lammy”)

 

oh dear!