Welsh tourists savagely beaten in Thailand

Four men have been arrested and charged after a sickening attack on a Welsh family who were on holiday in Thailand.

The elderly couple and their son, who are from Wenvoe, in the Vale of Glamorgan , were knocked unconscious.

The family were named by the Bangkok Post as Lewis Owen, 68, his wife Rosemary, 65, and their son who is also called Lewis. It is thought the attack started when a man was accidentally bumped into in the street.

The attack took place in the beach resort of Hua Hin.

CCTV of the attack on the three being punched to the ground as they celebrate Thai New Year has been posted online.

The horrific attack shows them being repeatedly kicked and stamped on after being punched to the floor.




A man throws a punch as a crowd looks on





One of the victims can be seen lying on the floor


As Mrs Owen tries to sit up, one of the thugs kicks her in the face, knocking her out cold.




Three victims lie unconscious on the floor after being savagely beaten in the street


"All four suspects have now been arrested," Pol Col Chaiyakorn Sriladecho, chief of Hua Hin police, told the local paper.

Suphatra Baithong, Yingyai Saengkham-in, both aged 32, and Siwa Noksri, 20, were captured within days of the assault while Chaiya Jaiboon, 20, was apprehended today.

How safe is your holiday? The places in Europe considered at 'high' risk of a terrorist attack

They all are expected to appear in court before next week.

One man who had been drinking in the same bar in Hua Hin claimed the gang targeted Westerners.

An image posted on Thai state media claimed to show two of the suspects being paraded to reporters in front of police.




Hua Hin police stand behind two suspects, seated at table


"The perpetrators said they were drunk. They have also apologised to the family," Colonel Chaiyakorn said.

He said the son received seven stitches for a scalp wound, while his father had a swollen wound on his head, and his mother suffered a head injury that has left her with occasional headaches.

We've since spoken to Lewis Junior: He described the family's 'horrendous' ordeal and said they would never return to Thailand

Yingyai, Supatra and Siva will be tried for causing GBH in a Hua Hin court, where the judges have sped up witness examination because the family are scheduled to return to Britain soon, Chaiyakorn said.




One eyewitness, who said he was also beaten in the attack, wrote online: "Within 20/30 meters of leaving the bar the Thais were punching the 65-year-old old lady in the face.

"The elderly gentleman was down on the floor, and their son was beaten very badly.

"At this point I caught up to the scene and pushed one of the youths away from the woman.

"I got severely punched and kicked for my troubles, but felt the need to protect this frail lady.

"The three of them are still hospitalised, and I will need cosmetic dental work done."

The attack happened in the early hours of April 13 during Songkran festivities, which is when Thais celebrate new year.

The British family are believed to have enjoyed a night out in Hua Hin - located 250km from the capital of Bangkok - when they were involved in an argument.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "Our staff are continuing to support the family, and will remain in contact with local authorities."

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-family-beaten-unconscious-during-11255934

Theres danger everywhere thats for sure

Hua Hin attackers get two years

Four Thai men have been convicted of the attack on the Welsh family, and sentenced to four years jail each.

Reduced to two years because they confessed.

That's nice. Going to Thailand in July!

To be fair, this is pretty likely to happen in the UK too. Drunk people knocking other people senseless is not exactly a rarity here.

Enjoy your trip, Thailand is an excellent place to visit.

Also one of the few places we can actually go on holiday at the moment without having to get yet another blessed visa!!