Picture courtesy of CH7 news

 

UDON THANI - A 75-year-old Australian man is stranded in Thailand, desperate to return to his homeland after a string of misfortunes. After a severe accident left him amputated, his funds dwindled when his Thai wife succumbed to drug addiction. With just 1,520 Thai baht remaining, he’s appealing for help to get back to Australia.

 

In Udon Thani’s Ban Dung district, local chief Boontom Sorumpa reported the dire situation of Marcus Own, an Australian pensioner marooned after misplacing trust in his wife, leading to financial ruin. Once a millionaire, Marcus entrusted his wife with his retirement money after selling a townhouse in Bangkok for over 4 million Thai baht. Now, with his wife undergoing drug rehabilitation, he faces life alone in a squalid, neglected home.

 

Marcus’s tragic tale began eight months ago when he suffered a car accident, resulting in the amputation of his left leg. He moved to Ban Dong Dara with his wife, Phikun, 45, but encountered further woes as her methamphetamine addiction spiralled. The couple, who travelled frequently between Thailand and Australia during happier times, now find their lives shattered as Phikun battles her addiction.

 

In a heart-wrenching interview, Marcus shared his desire to return to his family in Australia, where he hopes to live out his remaining days. He struggles without support in a once-grand Spanish-style home, now only a shadow of its former self. Confronted with the wreckage of his life, he pleads with authorities and the local community to assist his journey back home.

 

Village chief Boontom reported witnessing Phikun in distress, exhibiting erratic behaviour prior to his admission to rehab. The local community has shown compassion by providing Marcus with meals, but his plight remains dire. Meanwhile, law enforcement plans to escort him to the Australian consulate, aiming to secure his passage home, reported CH7 news.

 

Marcus’s story has touched many in Ban Dong Dara, a poignant reminder of how quickly fortunes can change. His aged mother-in-law, Tting, acknowledges her daughter’s struggles with addiction but remains uncertain about her ability to care for her husband.

 

The unfolding situation underscores the complex challenges faced by Marcus and demonstrates the importance of taking swift action to reunite him with loved ones in Australia. The Australian embassy’s response will be crucial, as coordinated efforts proceed to ensure Marcus Own can safely return to his homeland.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CH7 news 2025-08-13

 

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

After a severe accident left him amputated,

 

his funds dwindled when his Thai wife succumbed to drug addiction.

 

Always have health insurance.

 

Rent never buy.

11 hours ago, Nemises said:

Rent never buy.

 

Yes, everyone should stop getting into relationships and start families and just sleep with hookers. 

 

How did he let his wife spiral into drug addiction though? You would know if your wife is taking meth and intervene at some point? Sad stuff. 

 

5 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

Yes, everyone should stop getting into relationships and start families and just sleep with hookers. 

 

How did he let his wife spiral into drug addiction though? You would know if your wife is taking meth and intervene at some point? Sad stuff. 

 

Some stay with the wrong people for quite awhile out of obligation or fear, until they finally understand leaving is the best and only option. 

25 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Yes, everyone should stop getting into relationships and start families and just sleep with hookers. 

 

FYI: renting doesn't always mean "sleeping with hookers"!

 

Feel sorry for the guy but have never understood why they entrust their funds to these women of their own age even let alone someone 30y younger. In most cases, you’re just asking for it. Guess what’s happened is he’s had the accident, relied on her to look after him, but as is so often the case with those weak women who have never had money, couldn’t help herself and squandered it then became a grubby useless druggie. Hope family in Oz can help him out, but being destitute at that age…

11 hours ago, webfact said:

With just 1,520 Thai baht remaining, he’s appealing for help to get back to Australia.

 

It doesn't make any sense, because he has a pension coming in.

A pension is enough for a flight. 

Doesn't add up. 

 

19 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Take note Brittles.... notice no mention of a gofundme !

Well he should do because if his Aussie relatives don’t come through for him, he’s screwed because can’t rely on locals forever. Perhaps you should set it up rather than gloat. I’m alright, Jack. 

Can the Aussie Embassy not help to contact relatives / friends etc ?

Today he calls it homeland, yesterday he called it a nanny state 

I don’t know the family circumstances in Australia. A one way air ticket from Bangkok to Sydney is approximately $600 max. If there is family, surely they could pay the airfare for him. Then years ago, maybe family tried to warn him of the perils of being involved with a Thai woman.  I hope he makes it home.

9 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

It doesn't make any sense, because he has a pension coming in.

A pension is enough for a flight. 

Doesn't add up. 

 

I agree. Depending upon his circumstances, he should be receiving between $800. To $1000 per fortnight from the Australian government for the age pension.

 

 

"He struggles without support in a once-grand Spanish-style home, now only a shadow of its former self." - get whatever you can for the house then get out if here.

24 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

It doesn't make any sense, because he has a pension coming in.

A pension is enough for a flight. 

Doesn't add up. 

 

And he should have at least 400K for Immigration purposes.

If the Australian embassy and his Australian family not helping then who should help....

1 hour ago, Nemises said:

 

Always have health insurance.

 

Rent never buy.

You are entitled to your opinion but should bear in mind it is only an opinion, not fact.

Others may have the opposite opinion, just as valid.

16 minutes ago, Jack Hammer said:

I agree. Depending upon his circumstances, he should be receiving between $800. To $1000 per fortnight from the Australian government for the age pension.

 

 

Sorry, but how would you now if he receives a pension? Assuming because he is 75 that he does is not necessarily ccorect. Depending how long he has een in Thailand and when he turned retirement age. Australia has a proviso that you must have lived in Australia for pension portability or 2 years in Australia when you apply for portability. Reading between the lines , he was living off his assets.

2 minutes ago, Rooo said:

Sorry, but how would you now if he receives a pension? Assuming because he is 75 that he does is not necessarily ccorect. Depending how long he has een in Thailand and when he turned retirement age. Australia has a proviso that you must have lived in Australia for pension portability or 2 years in Australia when you apply for portability. Reading between the lines , he was living off his assets.

You are correct, I was not fully aware of the qualifications for the age pension.   If he passed the asset test at the age of 65 onwards, he should’ve made some effort to collect the pension.   At the moment, asset test for single person homeowner is $704,500, single person non homeowner is $962,500

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

How did he let his wife spiral into drug addiction though? You would know if your wife is taking meth and intervene at some point? Sad stuff. 

Kind of hard to chase her down when you're missing a leg...

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Australian pensioner marooned after misplacing trust in his wife, leading to financial ruin. Once a millionaire, Marcus entrusted his wife with his retirement money

Over the many years I've known so many millionaire foreigners loosing their fortune here in Thailand. 

 

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

Can the Aussie Embassy not help to contact relatives / friends etc ?

Should be able to do that himself: "The couple, who travelled frequently between Thailand and Australia during happier times, "

 

"In a heart-wrenching interview, Marcus shared his desire to return to his family in Australia"

Let his family sort it out.

53 minutes ago, giddyup said:

And he should have at least 400K for Immigration purposes.

 

Why should he? half the people posting on here do not seem to have even that much for an extension, plenty for beer and bar girls tho 😁

51 minutes ago, chuang said:

If the Australian embassy and his Australian family not helping then who should help....

 

GoFundMe time. 

And let me guess where he met her. Som Num Na

1 hour ago, MarkT63 said:

"He struggles without support in a once-grand Spanish-style home, now only a shadow of its former self." - get whatever you can for the house then get out if here.

Who owns the house and land.

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

 

It doesn't make any sense, because he has a pension coming in.

A pension is enough for a flight. 

Doesn't add up. 

 

 

The Australian pension is means tested.

The story states that he had been a millionaire - so he would not have qualified for the Aged pension.

Also - if he has been resident since he was 65 - no pension here . He would have to be an Australian resident for 2 consecutive years before receiving a pension - and stay another 6 months in Australia, after being granted a pension - before he could "carry" the pension to Thailand.

 

As a self funded retiree here in LOS - I feel for this guy.

This could be me if I live too long!

1 hour ago, MarkT63 said:

"He struggles without support in a once-grand Spanish-style home, now only a shadow of its former self." - get whatever you can for the house then get out if here.

He doesn't own the house. I'm guessing the wife probably mortgaged it.

1 hour ago, Celsius said:

Today he calls it homeland, yesterday he called it a nanny state 

Good point. Those government services and freedoms and opportunities of life in Australia or Canada can help you to be in a position of a good retirement in Thailand. 

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Perhaps you should set it up rather than gloat. I’m alright, Jack. 

Perhaps you should go fornicate yourself.

The "Grand Mansion" might well be in his wife's name, so he cannot sell.  Often the risk with LLOS property ownership rules.  Not a good situation to be in.