British man suffers Thai kidnap ordeal

[Jaime]

Shame I can't show the photos from the local paper:

Man suffers Thai kidnap ordeal

May 31 2007

by Abby Alford, South Wales Echo

A MAN’S dream of an idyllic retirement in the sun has been shattered after he was kidnapped, dumped in the jungle and stung by a scorpion.

Today, speaking from his hospital bed in Cardiff, former Barry businessman Gareth Pike spoke of his heartbreak at being left penniless and alone in Thailand, believing he was going to die.

He hopes his nightmare experience will serve as a cautionary tale to those who leave Wales to start a new life abroad.

“I literally thought I was going to die,â€

[lomuamart]

Words fail me.

[Sultry]

Oh my god..... that poor guy

[PeteC]

Words fail me also, but not sure if I'm thinking the same as Lomu, I hope so. Pete

[JD]

his dream soured when his 28-year-old Thai wife left the family home in a remote village with her eldest son who lived as a woman

This whole story is a bit ragged at the edges, but the above part is only just mathematically and biologically possible.

[dr dave soul monsta]

Is it 25 to 5 on ITV


quick edit only Uk folk over the age of 35 will understand this comment


scan them in J and email them on or does the rag have a website

[DawnHRD]

Oh my god..... that poor guy

Are you serious, Sultry? The whole story is very suspect IMO. And he spent 4 months in the jungle, alone, no word of being captive or watched, washing his clothes, drinking dirty water & eating mangoes because he didn't think there was anywhere to go? Would you stay put for 4 months rather than go & look for a road? Strange he found somewhere after being stung by a scorpion.

I would bet that the guy has made up this story. Ladyboys, jungle, kidnap, bar girls, losing his fortune, could he get any more stereotypes to entertain the British tabloid reader? Guess who wants his story to go national to get some money to recoup what he blew here?? That's my view, anyway.

[PeteC]

The sad part Dawn is that many will believe it and another negative against Thailand is born, or should I say hatched.

If I was working for TAT or any branch of the government here that deals with 'reputation' I'd be all over this like a pig on %$#@ to discredit the man. Please, don't anyone say "it could have happened " In a blue moon. Pete

PS: This whole thing could be Jamie's evil literary mind at work pulling our chain.

[Kraka's Dad]

Jaime is not making it up.
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwal ... _page.html

The truth of the story may be something else though.

[BaaBaa.]

"I didn’t try to escape because I didn’t think there was any way out."

WTF.

"The only thing to eat were mangoes that grew on a tree about a mile away."



Turns out there was a 7/11 one mile in the opposite direction.

[DawnHRD]

I didn't mean that Jaime had made it up, I think the guy has. I think he's blown his money in the usual way & has come up with this cock & bull story to excuse himself/make himself a hero/make money/whatever.

[STEVE G]

At some points this story stretches credibility to the limit; is there really a prestigious waterfront development in Barry?

[Vital Spark]

The really sad thing is that people in the UK read this trash and get the wrong idea about Thailand and Thais.

The scorpions in Thailand (and we have plenty in our house) are no more dangerous than a wasp in the UK - unless you have an allergic reaction to stings.

You're absolutely right Dawn, this guy is obviously a loser and he's making some dosh with the trashy magazines because he's made a mess of things here.

I couldn't help laughing when I read the story - what a pathetic man...

V.S.

[Amarita]

Coming home with a paid ticket by family, 2 trousers and 3 Tshirts at the age of 56 needs a good story. I give him credit for his fantasy.

[richard]

All cock and bull

Guy's a loser and feeding on sympathy

I've been bitten by a Scorpion and it's all treated by Paracetamol

The guy is full of Sh1t