A 75-year-old disabled Australian is begging for help to return home after his much younger Thai wife allegedly blew his life savings on meth, leaving him with US$72 and no one to care for him.
Marcus, who lost his left leg in a car accident, had moved to Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand to live with his wife ‘Pikun,’ 45, Khaosod reported. She had been his primary carer and the person he trusted to manage the $189,000 he received from selling his house in Bangkok.
Community leader Boonthom Sorumpha said Pikun developed a drug addiction and “burned through” all the money. Local officials allege she was recently taken to a rehabilitation center after going on a meth-induced rampage, leaving Marcus stranded and struggling with daily life due to his disability.
“I want to go back to Australia. I don’t want anything more to do with her,” Marcus said, the Daily Mail reported.
Thai media reported that the couple’s son was also addicted to meth. Pikun’s mother, Ting, admitted her daughter used drugs but insisted “she loved her foreign husband.”
Marcus said he had once traveled regularly between Thailand and Australia, but after losing his leg he decided to settle down in Udon Thani with Pikun. Her alleged drug habit, he claims, drained all of their resources, and he now survives on 1,500 baht ($72).
Boonthom has urged the Australian government to intervene so Marcus can return home.
