Ashton Jones is fighting for his life in Thailand

South Wales Argus

a day ago

Ashton Jones, 29, went on a last minute trip to Bangkok but was separated from his friends on a night out.
His family have no idea what happened before he was found in a hospital having emergency brain surgery - and is now fighting for his life nearly 6,000 miles away from home.
And to make it worse, Ashton didn't take out holiday insurance before jetting off 6,000 miles to Bangkok.
Ashton's family have no idea what happened before he was found in hospital in Thailand (Image: Wales News Service) His worried grandmother Beverley Walker, of Cwmbran, Gwent, is desperately trying to raise money to pay for his medical care and bring him back home to Wales.
She said that Ashton had travelled to Thailand with his lifelong friend on May 30, and on arrival met up with another friend.
But five days into his trip, the family received the worst news that he had gone missing after a night out partying.
His friends spent hours searching for Ashton after he went missing from the nightclub they were in.
He was found in hospital in Thailand and medics believe Ashton, who suffers from epilepsy, was violently attacked.
Ashton's grandmother, Beverley, is desperately trying to raise money to pay for his medical care and bring him back home to Wales (Image: Wales News Service) Beverley said: "I am deeply concerned that without immediate financial or diplomatic assistance, my grandson may not survive.
"The emotional toll on our family is immense. We are heartbroken and fearful, watching from afar while Ashton suffers without the care he urgently requires."
Beverley said on Monday, nearly a week after Ashton went into hospital on June 3, workers at Chonburi Hospital tried to wake him up.
She added: "It was a success but he still has a long way to go, he's bed-bound and suffering with fits, cannot talk, eat or drink and isn't aware.
"We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home."
But Ashton's treatment and funding to bring him to the UK will cost the family thousands - which is way more than they can afford to pay.
Ashton was separated from his friends on a night out in Bangkok (Image: Wales News Service) As he went out to Thailand at the last-minute, Beverley said he "did the unthinkable" and hadn't taken out any insurance.
The family have set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise £50,000 to help cover medical expenses and to bring him home.
So far, over £3,000 has been raised by 113 donors since the fundraiser was launched a day ago.
Beverley said: "The hospital in Thailand is asking for the cost of his treatment on going that is far beyond what our family can afford.
"In the meantime, Ashton's condition continues to deteriorate, and it feels as though we are being left helpless as time runs out.
"We have already put together life savings for medical bills, flights, travel, accommodation to be with him but would never be able to afford to get him home to better health care and his family."
"We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home.
"So please, any donations made towards getting Ashton home is apprenticed beyond words can describe.
"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you."
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are supporting a British man who has been hospitalised in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities."