Briton who was left with horrifying injuries after a brawl in Thailand attends court to see his ‘attackers’ jailed – only to be thrown in a cell himself for ‘fighting back’
A British father-of-three left with horrifying injuries after a brawl in Thailand attended court to see his alleged attackers jailed – only to be thrown in a cell himself for ‘fighting back’.
Luke Thornton, from Bristol, was left unconscious with a smashed eye socket after the brawl which happened during a
trip to see his Thai wife Sayforn Phetkajang, in Pai, northern Thailand.
Graphic CCTV footage shows the 38-year-old curled up on the ground while one man repeatedly hits him in the head and stomach before the men flee the scene.
After two weeks in specialist care, Mr Thornton said he was visited by police and the mayor who expressed their sympathy and brought him a hamper.
But just days later, when he attended court to watch what he thought would be his attackers punished, he was thrown into jail himself.
On the night of the attack, Mr Thornton, who was scheduled to fly home in June, said he was sitting on a road outside Pai Withayakhan School and blocking the path of some bikers.
He apologised to the group but they allegedly proceeded to attack him. He hit back but was restrained.
Later CCTV footage shows Mr Thornton on the ground while one man repeatedly kicks him in the head and stomach.
After the attack, he managed to crawl to a nearby hotel for help, before being rushed to hospital.
He was left with a fractured skull, a broken nose and numerous stitches in and around his mouth.
He believes he was beaten with a wooden stick lodged with nails.
Mr Thornton told MailOnline his eye socket was so ‘smashed’ that he had a hole behind his eye and required a silicon implant.
He said he was unable to see through his left eye for one month after the attack
Altogether he claims he has forked out around £7,500 for his medical expenses.
The three attackers were successfully caught and arrested, the Daily News reported at the time.
After two weeks in specialist care, Mr Thornton said he was visited by police and the mayor who expressed their sympathy and brought him a hamper.
But just days later, when Mr Thornton attended court to watch what he thought would be his attackers punished, he was thrown into the jail himself.
He was later released from prison but claims Thai authorities have confiscated his passport and money to make sure he stays in the country ahead of his trial.
Mr Thornton said he now faces assault charges for fighting back against his alleged attackers but doesn’t understand why, telling MailOnline: ‘I was treated like the animal, not the other way round’.
He has been forced to take out a loan to cover his living costs.
While his physical injuries are healing, Mr Thornton says it is the mental scars that have stayed with him.
He said he now suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and has been prescribed anti-psychotic medication and Xanax.
He lives in a state of fear, saying: ‘I am constantly thinking the worse.’ He has unable to see his three children, and said he just wants to go home.
Mr Thornton’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 9.
