Elderly Australian Seeks Repatriation After Wife’s Drug Struggles
An elderly Australian man in Udon Thani has appealed for help to return home after his Thai wife’s long-term drug addiction left him without care, money, or support. The 75-year-old, identified as Marcus, says he has no family left in Thailand and wishes to reunite with relatives in Australia.
Marcus, who lost his left leg in a car accident eight months ago, had been married to his wife, 45-year-old Phikul, for over a decade. The couple frequently traveled between Thailand and Australia before settling in Udon Thani after his accident. He said his pension and proceeds from selling his Bangkok townhouse — over four million baht — had been entrusted to his wife for living expenses. However, he claims the funds were depleted after she became addicted to methamphetamine.
The situation came to a head earlier this month when Phikul reportedly suffered severe hallucinations, alarming neighbors and prompting local officials to take her to a rehabilitation center. With only 1,520 baht remaining, Marcus turned to the media to request government assistance for his journey home.
Local village headman Bunthom Sorampha told reporters the couple had once lived comfortably in a large, pink two-story home on over an acre of land. Now, the residence is in disarray, and Marcus depends on neighbors for meals. He has expressed no interest in waiting for his wife to complete her treatment, saying he has no reason to stay in Thailand.
On August 13, immigration police in Udon Thani, working with the Australian embassy, began making arrangements for Marcus’s return. Plans were underway to transfer him to Bangkok for final processing. However, the situation became tense when Phikul unexpectedly returned home from rehab, insisting on a divorce and division of assets before he could leave. She told bystanders she no longer loved him and wanted their marriage formally ended.
Despite her demands, Marcus maintained his decision to return to Australia alone. Community members have rallied around him, including Supatra Nisanoff, a businesswoman from Sisaket province who also operates in Australia. She offered to pay for his airfare, estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 baht, after seeing news coverage of his situation.
The case has drawn attention to the difficulties faced by foreign retirees in Thailand when personal and financial support networks break down, as well as the broader social impact of drug addiction on families.