Thailand: British man dies 9 years after horrific attack in Pattaya

A British man was violently attacked in Pattaya in 2012, remaining in a coma for a year and severely disabled for eight years before dying in 2021.

Adam Pickles, head of the English department at Regents International School in Pattaya , was the victim of a violent attack in May 2012 that left him in a coma for a year.

He then required 24-hour care at his home in West Yorkshire, England, before dying aged 48 in January 2021.

He suffered a head injury after being attacked with an iron bar during a road rage incident.

He was repatriated to the UK following a fundraising campaign for his repatriation.

In 2015, Sean Tinsley, another British man from Wolverhampton, was sentenced to six years in prison in Thailand for assault (instead of attempted murder) after an initial not guilty verdict was overturned on appeal.

Tinsley had been acquitted of attempted murder, but following an appeal, he was convicted of assault and imprisoned.

He was also fined 6.2 million Thai baht (163,120 euros).

New investigation opened following BBC report

Adam Pickles in Pattaya before the attack. Photo: adampickles.muchloved.com

West Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation following Pickles' death and are keen to hear from anyone with information about the attack following a televised appeal on BBC Crimewatch Live , which aired on Wednesday, March 12.

Chief Inspector Damian Roebuck, Senior Investigating Officer with West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Investigations Team, said:

"I would particularly like to hear from anyone who was in Thailand at the time of the incident.

We believe Adam's attacker confided in someone who lived there at the time about what happened, and we need that person, or people, to come forward and tell us what they know.

Adam suffered traumatic brain injuries in the attack.

The injuries he suffered were so severe that he required 24-hour care for the rest of his life.

If you know anything that might help us convict the person who inflicted these horrific injuries on Adam, then now is the time to come forward and tell us about it.

Adam's family is determined to get justice for him, and I am committed to doing everything I can to help them in their cause."

Information can be shared with the Homicide and Major Investigations Team via the live chat function on the West Yorkshire Police website .

People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

Wednesday's episode of BBC Crimewatch Live is available on BBC iPlayer for the next 30 days.

A video released in 2017 called on people to support Adam Pickles:

See also:

Thailand: Increase in attacks on foreigners by delinquent teenagers in Pattaya

Thailand: Shocking attack on Thais by foreigners in Bangkok

Belgian tourist dies in Thailand after violent attack

Thais concerned about rise in attacks involving foreigners

Source: Bangkok Post