Attacked British couple facing jail in Thailand

A retired couple who moved to Thailand have stated they were told to prepare for prison after being attacked by their neighbors. The couple, 69-year-old Mary Bain and her 77-year-old husband Desmond Bain, emigrated from Middlesbrough to Thailand in 2021. They had hoped for a peaceful retirement, but are now facing unexpected legal challenges.

The Bains said they had a dispute with a younger couple over right of way and a small garden. In December 2023, the Bains noticed a disturbance in the garden and were subsequently kicked and punched, with the entire incident captured on CCTV. Their neighbors were initially charged following the altercation, facing potential legal repercussions.

However, now the Bains are also facing charges, and say they were told by the British Embassy that the outcome could be "mixed." Mrs. Bain said their neighbor is a Muay Thai boxer, and the woman "kept stamping on my head," while her husband "was punched ferociously 22 times." The couple is worried about the potential consequences given the neighbor's fighting skills.

"At one stage Desmond did put his leg up in defense, and as far as we know he didn't make contact," she said. "I firmly believe, 100 percent, it was self-defense." After initially denying the charges, the young couple have reportedly pleaded guilty, acknowledging their role in the incident.

But in May of last year, the Bains were summoned to the police station and told they were being charged with harming their neighbors. The Bains said their fingerprints were taken and their passports were confiscated. "We were absolutely shocked," Mrs. Bain said. "The superficial injuries these two had were just laughable." This unexpected turn of events has left them feeling vulnerable and uncertain.

The couple are due to appear in court again on Wednesday to learn the outcome of the verdict, but they say they "feel trapped" while they wait. "We can't leave, we can't go. So in a way, we feel trapped," Mrs. Bain said. The uncertainty surrounding the legal proceedings is causing them significant stress and anxiety.

The couple's former MP, Luke Myer, told BBC Radio Tees: "I'm doing everything I can to raise Mary and Desmond's case with the Foreign Office. Of course, this is a matter for the Thai legal system, and we can't interfere. I think it's very important to raise the profile of this issue to make sure they are treated fairly and are ultimately able to come home." He is advocating for their fair treatment within the Thai legal system.

A British Foreign Office spokesperson said they are providing support to two British citizens in Thailand and are in contact with local authorities. "We're not pessimistic, we both know we've done nothing wrong," Mrs. Bain said. "But we have to prepare ourselves for whatever they're going to do to us." Despite their optimism, they are bracing themselves for potentially unfavorable outcomes in the legal process.