Picture courtesy of South Wales Argus

 

Ashton Jones, a 29-year-old from Cwmbran, Wales, who was viciously attacked in Thailand, has woken from a coma, expressing a heartfelt wish: “I just want to go home.”

 

The father of two was assaulted by unknown assailants while out in Bangkok. Found unconscious and on life support 55 miles from where he was last seen, Ashton has been fighting for his life in a Pattaya hospital following emergency brain surgery.

 

Family friend Angela Shepherd described the ordeal as “harrowing,” explaining that Ashton got separated from his friends and was later found in intensive care. “We believe he was set upon by one or more people who left him for dead,” she told BBC Wales.

 

Ashton, who had been in Thailand for just a few days, endured surgery to address a brain bleed, with part of his skull removed to ease pressure. Despite the severity of his injuries, his father, Darren, declined a “do not resuscitate” order.

 

Angela shared that Ashton is now improving but remains in critical condition. “He’s being fed through a tube, on oxygen, and restrained due to frustration. But he’s showing signs of improvement.”

 

His family is committed to bringing him back to Wales, raising funds for medical costs due to his lack of travel insurance, and coordinating with a repatriation service.

 

Darren, who flew out to support his son, has been bolstered by local kindness, receiving help with accommodation and hospital communication.

 

A spokesperson from the British Foreign Office confirmed their involvement, stating, “We are supporting a British man hospitalised in Thailand and liaising with his family and local authorities.”

 

The Thai police investigation into the attack is ongoing, with no further details at this time. Meanwhile, Ashton’s family remains hopeful for his recovery and are determined to see him safely returned to Wales.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-01

 

 

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The father of two

 

Then what was he doing clubbing in Bangkok ? 

 

Like that painted up, drug smuggling tart that the tabloids referred to as 'British Mum'.  No wonder the country is going down the toilet. These chavs and chavettes are being glorified and using their infamy for a gofundme that covers the cost of their next misadventure. 

3 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

 

Then what was he doing clubbing in Bangkok ? 

 

Like that painted up, drug smuggling tart that the tabloids referred to as 'British Mum'.  No wonder the country is going down the toilet. These chavs and chavettes are being glorified and using their infamy for a gofundme that covers the cost of their next misadventure. 

Feel the compassion

3 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

 

Then what was he doing clubbing in Bangkok ? 

 

Like that painted up, drug smuggling tart that the tabloids referred to as 'British Mum'.  No wonder the country is going down the toilet. These chavs and chavettes are being glorified and using their infamy for a gofundme that covers the cost of their next misadventure. 

Sit down ya muppet. 

kept in a coma with drugs 

 

A spokesperson from the British Foreign Office confirmed their involvement, stating, “We are supporting a British man hospitalised in Thailand and liaising with his family and local authorities.”

 

Would love to know what that actually means.Its the goto phrase for any Brit who is in trouble, in any part of the world.

Good luck with your recovery young man🤔

This story is well out of date. 

 

It was reported on 13 June that a suspect had been arrested.

 

The actual incident occurred on 3 June, and he "woke up" on or about 10 June.

 

And the "55 miles from where he was last seen", was Pattaya.

 

 

Man 'arrested' after Welsh dad left fighting for life in Thailand | Wales Online

 

 

21 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

Then what was he doing clubbing in Bangkok ? 

 

Does the article specify that he was clubbing?

It says he was out in Bangkok.

 

A completely unprovoked vicious attack is rare in Thailand. 

No details at all on this one, unfortunately. 

 

1 hour ago, Anthony mellows said:

 

A spokesperson from the British Foreign Office confirmed their involvement, stating, “We are supporting a British man hospitalised in Thailand and liaising with his family and local authorities.”

 

Would love to know what that actually means.Its the goto phrase for any Brit who is in trouble, in any part of the world.

Around 15yrs ago a friend of mine suffered a very serious stroke in Hua Hin, was in San Paulo hospital, he had no medical insurance, so had to be funded by family in UK, the British Embassy in Bangkok were informed, they had one woman who was in charge of repatriation of British citizens back to the UK. As soon as funds were in the Embassy's account he was transferred to Bumrangrad Hospital for the fit to fly assessment, after Around one week he was accompanied by a nurse to the UK, then transferred to hospital. The whole process was very professional.

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

in a Pattaya hospital

Phuket and Pattaya.

 

Want to have a safe experience, never go near these places..

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

raising funds for medical costs due to his lack of travel insurance

Why every time the same story?

And why it happens all the time to Brits?

Of course we all wish a safe trip home as soon as possible.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

His family is committed to bringing him back to Wales, raising funds for medical costs due to his lack of travel insurance, and coordinating with a repatriation service

When will people learn

5 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Why every time the same story?

And why it happens all the time to Brits?

Of course we all wish a safe trip home as soon as possible.

Because we dig deep to help our countrymen when we get in a spot of bother.

we are good like that.

Just want to go home .

No problem after you clear your huge hospital bill I'm sure 🙈

3 hours ago, Anthony mellows said:

 

A spokesperson from the British Foreign Office confirmed their involvement, stating, “We are supporting a British man hospitalised in Thailand and liaising with his family and local authorities.”

 

Would love to know what that actually means.Its the goto phrase for any Brit who is in trouble, in any part of the world.

 

This usually involves handing over phone numbers for translators and local lawyers if needed, explaining the substantial bill for medical services, and why they can't leave Thailand until it is paid.

 

It includes making a phone call to their loved ones in the UK and instructing them to arrange funds for payment to the hospital, as well as providing a hospital update on his condition.

 

They will also advise on immigration overstay due to hospitalisation and assist with emergency travel documents in the event of an expired passport.

 

And if he's fortunate, a bag of oranges and some vitamin tablets.

 

It doesn't include financial support, tickets home or air ambulances.

2 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

Phuket and Pattaya.

 

Want to have a safe experience, never go near these places..

 

What has that got to do with the price of lemons?

 

'The father of two was assaulted by unknown assailants while out in Bangkok'

2 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

Phuket and Pattaya.

 

Want to have a safe experience, never go near these places..

Patong and Pattaya (most other parts of Phuket are quite livable and safe, if you have enough dough though...)

".....due to his lack of travel insurance". This happens so often, I wish people would just take out travel insurance.

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

His family is committed to bringing him back to Wales, raising funds for medical costs due to his lack of travel insurance, and coordinating with a repatriation service.

Sad, really sad, but same old story...

12 hours ago, WHansen said:

Feel the compassion

I do feel compassion - for the two children and the mother at home that a responsible father would be looking after.  

There is a lot more to be told about this story, starting with how he finished up unconscious in Pattaya having intended to spend the evening 'clubbing' with friends in Bangkok. Just for openers, where were his friends when he apparently disappeared, and who took him to Pattaya ?

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of South Wales Argus

 

Ashton Jones, a 29-year-old from Cwmbran, Wales, who was viciously attacked in Thailand, has woken from a coma, expressing a heartfelt wish: “I just want to go home.”

 

The father of two was assaulted by unknown assailants while out in Bangkok. Found unconscious and on life support 55 miles from where he was last seen, Ashton has been fighting for his life in a Pattaya hospital following emergency brain surgery.

 

Family friend Angela Shepherd described the ordeal as “harrowing,” explaining that Ashton got separated from his friends and was later found in intensive care. “We believe he was set upon by one or more people who left him for dead,” she told BBC Wales.

 

Ashton, who had been in Thailand for just a few days, endured surgery to address a brain bleed, with part of his skull removed to ease pressure. Despite the severity of his injuries, his father, Darren, declined a “do not resuscitate” order.

 

Angela shared that Ashton is now improving but remains in critical condition. “He’s being fed through a tube, on oxygen, and restrained due to frustration. But he’s showing signs of improvement.”

 

His family is committed to bringing him back to Wales, raising funds for medical costs due to his lack of travel insurance, and coordinating with a repatriation service.

 

Darren, who flew out to support his son, has been bolstered by local kindness, receiving help with accommodation and hospital communication.

 

A spokesperson from the British Foreign Office confirmed their involvement, stating, “We are supporting a British man hospitalised in Thailand and liaising with his family and local authorities.”

 

The Thai police investigation into the attack is ongoing, with no further details at this time. Meanwhile, Ashton’s family remains hopeful for his recovery and are determined to see him safely returned to Wales.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-01

 

 

Cases of unprovoked assault in Thailand are extremely rare and there's more to this than meets the eye. 'Got separated from his friends', how did that happen ?

7 hours ago, save the frogs said:

 

Does the article specify that he was clubbing?

It says he was out in Bangkok.

 

Ashton travelled to Thailand with a lifelong friend and on arrival met up with another friend. "It was a spur-of-the-moment holiday. Ashton was really enjoying himself, sending us pictures of himself riding elephants."

 

After becoming separated from Ashton in a nightclub his friends spent hours looking for him and eventually found him in hospital.  https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/man-arrested-after-welsh-dad-31855347

4 hours ago, sungod said:

 

What has that got to do with the price of lemons?

 

'The father of two was assaulted by unknown assailants while out in Bangkok'

As he was found in a hospital in Chonburi

6 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Because we dig deep to help our countrymen when we get in a spot of bother.

we are good like that.

 

Yeah, real good at digging deep to help... like Starmer and Reeves.

19 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

 

Then what was he doing clubbing in Bangkok ? 

 

Like that painted up, drug smuggling tart that the tabloids referred to as 'British Mum'.  No wonder the country is going down the toilet. These chavs and chavettes are being glorified and using their infamy for a gofundme that covers the cost of their next misadventure. 

Where are the Brits that bashed him?

7 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

Phuket and Pattaya.

 

Want to have a safe experience, never go near these places..

How would you know if you avoid them?

No doubt a night of heavy drinking gone terribly wrong.

 

Poor guy.

Coming from a country with universal healthcare, boy, are his parents going to be shocked when they see the bill.

I actually feel sorry for them.