American Martial Arts Bar Brawler Junie Browning: 'Not In Phuket'

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MMA bar brawler Junie Browning: 'not in Phuket'

Phuket Gazette

Junie Browning, wanted by Phuket police for brawling, says he was ‘fighting for his life’. Photo: Provided by Junie Browning

Browning told the Phuket Gazette that he was struck twice over the head from behind, once with a beer bottle and the second time with a glass mug. Photo: Provided by Junie Browning

PHUKET: -- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Junie Browning, who is wanted by Phuket Police for his role in two serious brawls, has contacted the Phuket Gazette with his detailed version of events.

At the time of posting, the Gazette was seeking comments from people and institutions mentioned in Mr Browning’s version of events.

In his email below, Mr Browning did not reveal his current whereabouts.

Mr Browning wrote:

I am writing this in regards to the events that happened this past Sunday night [December 11] in Karon and in the Patong Hospital following.

I am aware of previous allegations in my past that may lead people to believe that the way the event is being portrayed in the media is true. I came to Thailand to train jn MMA and rebuild my reputation and career as a professional athlete. My current physical condition and the reputation that is being built by corrupt media is fatal to my career.

I was in fact the victim in this case and it is important I am able to tell my side of the story and provide you with pictures and evidence to support it.

There was an attempt to end my life and I am begging for help from the US Embassy. My girlfriend and I have had our lives repeatedly threatened in the hours and days following the event.

Sunday night, we arrived at a small bar in Karon with two other females, one of whom was friends with the owner. It happened to be the birthday of the bar owner, Simon Wilson Menzies, so he was surrounded by a group of 12-15 of his closest friends who had been drinking in celebration previous to our arrival.

My girlfriend and I had a few drinks, and seeing we didn’t know anyone, had decided to leave to go home. We had contacted a cab and he was on his way to meet us. He would call when he arrived. A discussion via text message with one of the girls I had arrived with, resulted in MJ Castro and Simon Menzies confronting me in the street, MJ screaming and swinging her hands in front of my face.

I do not know why she was mad. Nothing that I had said involved her or her friends whatsoever. I assumed she was mad that we were leaving the party because we were on our way out to meet our cab. Without any notice I found myself in a physical altercation with Simon in the street.

I could tell from the moment he stepped in front of me, he was looking for a fight. At this point, it just involved me and Simon, my girlfriend was standing next to us. In only a few seconds, my girlfriend was thrown across the street and I had been hit from behind in the back of the head by a glass beer bottle.

I stood up looking for my attacker and found myself surrounded by a mob of people. It was no longer a man on man “bar brawl” but a fight for my survival. I was trying to defend myself in the street when at some point I fell back to the ground.

They [dragged] me back into the bar where they pummeled me with punches and kicks. It was me against everyone. For a second time I received a massive blow over the head with a thick glass mug that split my head open and made me fall to the floor.

I curled up in the fetal position, submissive, and I continued to be kicked and hit. My arms up covering my face I felt a slice to my forearm and another stab to my neck.

A Thai girl had a knife and was attacking my head with it. I must have lost consciousness from blood loss because the next thing I knew, my girlfriend had sprawled her body on top of mine to protect me from any more blows. She was screaming that it was “enough” and that the fight was over.

She was taking kicks in my place until a bystander grabbed me by the shoulders and [dragged] my body down the steps into the street.

All of my attackers remained standing in the bar unharmed. I was going in and out of consciousness, which I am assuming was from my head trauma, while the ambulance arrived and I was transported to the hospital. My girlfriend accompanied me in the emergency vehicle drenched in by blood and witnessed the paramedics revive me by CPR twice.

The man that originally attacked me, Simon Wilson Menzies, we later discovered had been arrested on a plane from Australia in April 2011, after being refused alcohol. The following article taken from ntnews.com.au explains those events and will allow you to take into consideration his character. (click here).

Once I arrived at the hospital, I was rolled into a large open room and my girlfriend was put in a wheelchair and checked for wounds. They thought she had been cut as well because of the amount of blood that covered her body. They showered her and threw her clothes in the trash.

When she was allowed to see me, she informed me that she had been kicked but was not injured and told me what she had experienced in the last moments of the fight and on the ambulance. She said she feared they had killed me and that I was lucky to be alive.

They began to assess my wounds and stitch up the three large gashes on my head. Without any consideration to my safety or the events that had just occurred, they placed both Menzies accompanied by MJ Castro, and the man who had attacked me with a mug, in the beds right beside me.

Needless to say, I became furious and again words were exchanged. As it escalated a second time into a physical fight, MJ attempted to intervene and was struck in the rumble. Security and Patong Police arrived and restrained all parties. I was taken into the waiting lobby on a stretcher in handcuffs in front of numerous people to finish giving me medical attention.

At no point was I rude or uncooperative with either the medical staff or the police. Taken into consideration the severity of my wounds and my demeanor and my girlfriend's statement, the police officer removed my handcuffs.

We were told by the officer that we should stay the night in the hospital to have my head monitored and would be able to go home with no charges the next morning. It was obvious to him that I was the victim.

The hospital staff was extremely kind, giving both my girlfriend and I clean clothes and beds to sleep on. I was hooked up to an IV and had arranged with friends to be picked up at 10am the next morning, after my wounds were reassessed.

My intentions were to file a police report in the morning and deal with this in a civil manner. Hours later, my phone began to ring with numerous reliable sources stating that we were not safe and we needed to leave now! They said that local Thais and mafia had a price on my head and were headed to the hospital and both my girlfriend's and my life were at risk.

We were told to trust or talk to no one and to just leave. We are aware that the mafia is a real thing and took this very seriously. We panicked and decided that our best option was to escape in the middle of the night and hope we could make it home.

Our first thought was to get a hold of the police for protection, but were told that it was corrupt and that they would be of no assistance. My girlfriend pulled out my IV and jumped a fence to find a taxi to come pick me up.

When one arrived I jumped in and we headed home to pack. Two friends came banging on the door, which we didn't answer for fear of who it might be. They continued to bang on the windows until we realized who it was.

We do not want to mention their names to protect them from being associated with the situation and any harm that may come to them. They said there was no time; that I needed to hide. They even mentioned that if my girlfriend was found, they would kill or harm her in an attempt to find me.

Being US citizens in a foreign country we were terrified and had to act quickly. With these threats in mind we made a plan. I went to hide while my girlfriend stayed behind to pack and arrange travel out of the city. Keep in mind, we left behind a house we have rented through May, a dog we left in a friend's care, and numerous personal belongings. Approximately one hour later I was picked up by taxi and we headed out of Phuket. Four hours later we arrived in Krabi to stay the night in a hotel and figure out what to do.

The next day I received two separate phone calls from MJ Castro (which I was informed is not her real name) and Simon Menzies saying that we needed to pay several hundred thousand baht or they would continue to hunt us.

In addition, Facebook messages and phone calls flooded in from friends and acquaintances telling us we were in big trouble and needed to get back to the US quickly and, again, to speak to no one.

They instructed us to attempt to cross the Malaysian border and get on the first flight home. At this point we packed again and boarded a mini van to Hatyai. We booked a hotel and paid for two tickets on the 9am bus to Kuala Lumpur, still unsure of what we should do.

While in Hatyai, we contacted the US Embassy, still afraid to tell anyone of our location. We did not want to flee the situation, but needed to confide in people we could trust.

We were told not to use our phones or internet to avoid any chance of the wrong people discovering our location. I was contacted by a friend from the United States who had previously lived in Bangkok and was able to arrange transport from friends of his with protection to the US Embassy.

To this point I have been unable to seek the medical attention that I desperately need. My vision in my right eye is impaired, I am in severe pain, I am going through fainting and dizzy spells, and have severe head trauma. We had to use the internet to try to figure out how to deal with it on our own.

My girlfriend has been dressing my wounds and at night sets an alarm every two hours to wake me up. She asks me simple questions and checks my eyes to make sure I am coherent and stable.

All we are asking for is help from people we can trust which brings us here now. We are victims of a viscous assault and attempt on our lives. We are seeking the assistance of the US Embassy and I want to clear my name of the wrong-doing I was accused of.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article11741.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-12-19

RELATED TOPIC

Manhunt Launched For American Martial Arts Brawler Junie Browning: Phuket

[bkkjames]

The guy writes impeccably.

[beano2274]

The guy writes impeccably.

For someone who is dizzy I have to agree, and even with the head trauma he remembers a lot of details.

But this is one side of the story, what about the other side.

[FritsSikkink]

A bar owner who let his friends drag somebody back into the bar to continue the fight???

I know a lot of bar owners but when there is a fight in the bar they want the people out of the bar (no damage to the property and clients).

[Wallaby]

Yes quite impeccable writing for someone in such distress, and so much detail from somone suffering head trauma.

Beat the hell out of him for absolutely no reason eh? I don't think so.

The guy is a maniac, didn't understand Thai mob mentality and was given a flogging. I also doubt they were wanting reparation payment for nothing. Perhaps if we wait a few more days we'll get the real story.

[Sharp]

Bull !!!

[Orac]

Yes quite impeccable writing for someone in such distress, and so much detail from somone suffering head trauma.

Beat the hell out of him for absolutely no reason eh? I don't think so.

The guy is a maniac, didn't understand Thai mob mentality and was given a flogging. I also doubt they were wanting reparation payment for nothing. Perhaps if we wait a few more days we'll get the real story.

Not sure about the Thai mob bit - I didn't think it was Thais he was fighting with.

He does seem to have changed his mind from his alleged previous facebook post quoted in the other topic:

“On a positive note, I managed to break a few orbital bones, at least a couple jaws, and (left) some unconscious bodies laying on the ground before I blacked out from loss of blood and apparently had to be resuscitated in the ambulance. So, how was your weekend?”

as he is now claiming "All of my attackers remained standing in the bar unharmed"

[hedonist44]

The guy writes impeccably.

For someone who is dizzy I have to agree, and even with the head trauma he remembers a lot of details.

But this is one side of the story, what about the other side.

This is not written of his own hand for sure. I had a look at his videos on YouTube and he's not capable of putting a complete sentence together. Something is really off base in all of this.

[ttelise]

This guy is pretty stupid. He could have maintained some credibility had he incorporated parts of his original story and not played total victim. He should have at least conceded some fault in something and perhaps opinion would gave been he did not really deserve what happened. Now I even think he is full of shit and I was initially willing to keep an open mind about it. Candidly, sounds like all involved were dirt bags.

[WarpSpeed]

Yeah I think it's water under the bridge call it a draw, lessons learned all around..

[Jimi007]

Yeah I think it's water under the bridge call it a draw, lessons learned all around..

One would hope so... Sadly I really doubt the geniuses involved have learned much of anything! Just look at some of the stories about these characters!

[ttelise]

Seriously, that Menzies cat needs to try his shit on a Delta flight and let a sky Marshall take his lame arse down. Picking shit with a stewardess and pilot. Haha, pilots on US airlines even pack these days. Both of these guys will screw with the wrong people and end up in the ground or, worse, jail. They are still young, but that lifestyle always, always catches up with you. There is always someone bigger, tougher or just down right more ruthless out there. Junie needs to go to Bali, take of surfing and yoga and trade the alcohol for some nice herb. That's what I did . . .

Edited December 19, 2011 by ttelise

[Daewoo]

All of my attackers remained standing in the bar unharmed

Without any consideration to my safety or the events that had just occurred, they placed both Menzies accompanied by MJ Castro, and the man who had attacked me with a mug, in the beds right beside me.

Did they all walk onto a door in the bar where they stood unharmed?

Not really sure I believe too much of any of this story, and think a lot of it is the ranting of a paranoid drama queen me paranoid? who said that?...

Not exactly sure Si Menzies is likely to be squeeky clean either...

[NovaBlue05]

All of my attackers remained standing in the bar unharmed

Without any consideration to my safety or the events that had just occurred, they placed both Menzies accompanied by MJ Castro, and the man who had attacked me with a mug, in the beds right beside me.

Did they all walk onto a door in the bar where they stood unharmed?

Not really sure I believe too much of any of this story, and think a lot of it is the ranting of a paranoid drama queen me paranoid? who said that?...

Not exactly sure Si Menzies is likely to be squeeky clean either...

If it is the same "Menzies" involved in the air rage incident, I would find him to be a far more disturbing person .

[pimay11]

All of my attackers remained standing in the bar unharmed

Without any consideration to my safety or the events that had just occurred, they placed both Menzies accompanied by MJ Castro, and the man who had attacked me with a mug, in the beds right beside me.

Did they all walk onto a door in the bar where they stood unharmed?

Not really sure I believe too much of any of this story, and think a lot of it is the ranting of a paranoid drama queen me paranoid? who said that?...

Not exactly sure Si Menzies is likely to be squeeky clean either...

If it is the same "Menzies" involved in the air rage incident, I would find him to be a far more disturbing person .

Could it be this same guy?

From the NT News.

A MAN on a flight to Darwin threatened to "smash" the captain and blow the plane up after cabin crew refused to serve him more booze.

Sydney man Simon Wilson Menzies, 31, was drunk and angry when he told the female cabin crew manager on a flight this week that he could"bring the plane down if he wanted."

Menzies said: "I'm half muslim, half Aboriginal and everyone else is a white a*******. I could f******blow up the plane."

He then began to sing a song about the plane crashing and everyone dying.

[Daewoo]

I am sure that the original article refers to that same Simon Menzies, and the article....

Got drunk, let his mouth run when refused more service, got arrested when the plane landed, got convicted and punished...

Sounds pretty typical of many of the kind of Aussies travelling to Bali... and unfortunately much of Thailand... then again, not sure that too many Rhodes Scholars own bars in Karon, so not particularly surprised... Lay down with dogs, wake up with fleas....

[harrry]

I find it hard to believe the US Embassy would have given this advice.

[pimay11]

I find it hard to believe the US Embassy would have given this advice.

Agree, very unlikely.

[David48]

... there is so much to like about Phuket.

Never a dull moment.

[JimmyGreaves]

Anyone know the name of the bar in Karon that he owns?

[Tanuki]

I would believe that the US embassy gives this advice as my embassy (not US) told me the same thing over something much smaller. My embassy also told me not to use my phone and that local police are corrupt and not to be trusted.

Pretty sad state and embarrassing for Phuket that their police force is known for this. I also think all involved are of the scumbag variety and most likely no innocent victims here.

[Just1Voice]

Too many questions, not enough answers. Something about this whole thing just ain't quite kosher.

[crazykopite]

Why does Thailand end up with thugs/gangsters/scumbags who have fled there own country and then come over here and spoil it for those of us who want to enjoy living in this wonderful country. It does piss me off because at the end of the day we all end up being tarred with the same brush.

The guy writes impeccably.

[eriksen]

Yes quite impeccable writing for someone in such distress, and so much detail from somone suffering head trauma.

Beat the hell out of him for absolutely no reason eh? I don't think so.

The guy is a maniac, didn't understand Thai mob mentality and was given a flogging. I also doubt they were wanting reparation payment for nothing. Perhaps if we wait a few more days we'll get the real story.

Not sure about the Thai mob bit - I didn't think it was Thais he was fighting with.

He does seem to have changed his mind from his alleged previous facebook post quoted in the other topic:

"On a positive note, I managed to break a few orbital bones, at least a couple jaws, and (left) some unconscious bodies laying on the ground before I blacked out from loss of blood and apparently had to be resuscitated in the ambulance. So, how was your weekend?"

as he is now claiming "All of my attackers remained standing in the bar unharmed"

Yes, thats the first thing I noticed.. no need to be sherlock..

[jalansanitwong]

lesson No 1 Dont drink in bars in Thailand.

lesson No 2 Listen to lesson No1

The last time i drank in a bar would of been 3 years ago in Patpong. A fellow Australian albeit a bogan was pulling faces at me and basically itching for a fight. I ignored his neolithic mating calls and eventually he shuffled off dragging his knuckles along behind him. What a retard. These farang bar flies are all the same. I dont believe the perp penned the letter either.Definitely not written by a bar bogan.

As for the bit about the mafia whacking him? What a load of rubbish. Since when did the mafia start going around whacking 'dime a dozen' farangs in LOS ?

Edited December 20, 2011 by jalansanitwong

[piewarmer]

I have never been attacked while leaving a bar, <deleted>??

But I have seen people swearing at the staff who then get a kicking.

There's a lot more to this story. maybe a lot less as well.

[cobra]

This makes for a better script than "Bangkok Dangerous" with Nickolas Cage,

Junie call me, I want to shop this around asap, need two hundred words by Tuesday,

Unfortunately David Carradine would have been great as the bar heavy.

One thing is probable, this melee was likely heavily fueled by alcohol for all parties involved.

As in the survival phrase when deprived of food and water, ... three days to animal,

in this case, ... three drinks to animal.

Edited December 20, 2011 by cobra

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Why does Thailand end up with thugs/gangsters/scumbags who have fled there own country and then come over here and spoil it for those of us who want to enjoy living in this wonderful country. It does piss me off because at the end of the day we all end up being tarred with the same brush.

Are you seriously asking why? Many of the crims here didn't have the option of staying home.

And they choose Thailand for exactly the same reasons we have for wanting to come here, just more so!

Money, and not even that much of it, buys you things here that aren't available at ten times the price back home, if at all.

And for those likely to get themselves into nasty situations, here you can usually just buy your way out of it.

It's only when the money runs out that the grass starts to look greener back home. . .

[theanimaster]

Yeah, you feel sorry for the poor bastard who got in this mess but then again, all things considered... does the mafia really get involved in little wee-personal things like this? There may be shitloads of drugs/money involved... definitely starting to look less of a mere bar fight. To have the police and all on his tail -- oh yeah... you better bet your arse this is no simple bar fight!

So where's the part of the story that involves the drugs and money, and why does the guy change his story from "I kicked serious ass" to "I got my ass seriously kicked"? He should have explained that in his email.

One things for sure though -- plenty scumbags were involved with this.

[cyberskin]

Having spent a few years in thailand drinking in more then a few bars, it's unfortunate that his story sounds all too believable. He obviously has the physical scars to back it up as well. He did exactly the right thing and got the hell out in order to try and get any sort of fair shake in the matter. With more eyes on the story and it getting world wide attention I am sure all of the truth will eventually get out, but you really can't fake getting stabbed and smashed over the head with bottles. Well hopefully he gave as good as he got and some of those other people have learned a lesson or two about attacking a lone guy they perceived as an easy victim.