FROM ANDREW DRUMMOND, BANGKOK, FEBRUARY 27 2010
A SCOTS engineer said to have weeks to live has stunned doctors by making a recovery - helped by his Thai partner.
Allan Hyne , 64, is to be discharged from a hospital in Thailand having got over a brain bug, which left him in a coma.
Last week his family, from Buckie, Banffshire, claimed they would have to leave him to die in Thailand because they could not afford to fly him home.
But the Thai woman who helped nurse him has now told of her love for “the funny Scottish man” who has been her companion for seven years - and how he got better.
Patchararawadee Oogrit pledged: “I’ll stick by him to the end, wherever that may be.”
Allan Hyne with Dtim at the first ICU
The engineer said Allan was suffering from Japanese encephalitis but the worst is now over. She added: “When he got sick, I cried every day but the doctor said maybe Allan will have good luck and recover.
“I look after him every day so I know he’s getting better. Sometimes he smiles and I know he understands.
“He always told me he wanted to retire and live in Thailand.”
Allan, who worked for Grampian Country Foods, was struck down with the mosquito borne disease just a month after taking retirement last year.
He was put into hospital in Ramkhamhaeng, Bangkok, but yesterday was getting final treatment at the Ake Pathum Hospital in Nakhon Nayok, 30 miles north of the capital.
Doctors say Allan will not be able to talk again and are not sure how much more of a recovery he will make. Dr Naratapong Sangtong said: “He has got better. Some patients continue improving, others level off.”
Part of his treatment has been paid for by the Thai government because he had local insurance. The rest, including a private nurse, is being financed by his partner.
Patchararawadee said she was distressed to hear of Scottish TV and press reports saying Allan was being left for dead and there was nobody taking care of him.
Allan’s daughter Dawn was quoted as saying he was in a pauper’s hospital. And his son Allan said he would need between £120,000 and £200,000 to fly his dad home.
Last night, his son added: “He is not married to this woman. He did live with her in Thailand but he is still married to my mother.
“The British Consulate told my sister in no uncertain terms on Friday he was not to be removed from hospital and I would certainly be concerned about it if that was the case.
“Why remove someone from a hospital where they are receiving free treatment? “He would be better offback in Britain and back with his family.”
Patchararawadee said: “I am paying for a respirator and full-time nurse but my money will run out soon. Allan is not able to sign over power of attorney so no funds can be released for his treatment.
“I am happy to bring their father home to Scotland. If the family can release his money, I’m sure a flight can be arranged.
“I would continue to take care of him anywhere, even though he said he would like to die here.
“I’m happy because he’s still with me. I don’t care how difficult it is to look after him, I’ll do it.”
QUOTE:(Patchararawadee Oogrit pledged): “I’ll stick by him to the end, wherever that may be.”
A real diamond.
god bless this thai lady. i hope the family in scotland will work
this lady and provide financial assistance for the best outcome.
this man may live on for some time to come.if there is any resentment with the family over this thai lady let them come to thailand and take over her situation.to watch a loved one slip away day after day is not an easy task.the family is lucky the scotsman has such a partner. this thai lady is a saint.
this is the reference of mind between that his child as he give birth to this world and someone who is just knew him in 6 years. This Thai lady will be done everything that his alive as well as possible but his child juts needs only his money and heritage.
wish him to be better and better so that give her to be vigorous…
Let’s hope he recovers.
And I hope she is a saint and an angel and is there for him amd not any other motive. This is Thailand
Despite all the usual derogatory remarks about the Thai partners, this lady is a true Gem. Thai Angel is the right term Andrew!
beautiful but sad story which made my eyes get wet.. really! I hope to be as lucky as him should an unfortunate event like that ever happen to me. He is very lucky to have such a caring partner, most foreigners with a Thai spouse will not admit it but it is a fact that love usually only lasts as long as your money in Thailand.
Great to hear he had local insurance, that is not usual… most people here think that everything is sooooo cheap they don’t have to worry, and most are so disconnected from reality, that they simple think they are invincible and do not need health insurance.
I had a terrible motorbike accident without any insurance 5 years back, not even the bike I was riding had insurance I found out later. The hospital bill would have ruined me, if I didn’t have a saint of my own, who got me the best care I could get and paid the bills in full without asking me for payback. I was lucky… but now I got insurance, cause you never know when your luck runs out, right? What I want to say is, if you live in Thailand and do not have an insurance, you should get back to reality and get yourself one… they are cheap compared to the cost that may come.
I beleive that a great therapy can also be seen in human touch. The Thai nurse has demonstrated a big faith and through her hands God works.
I visited Allan last week (my in-laws live next door) and he was looking good! The private nurse is amazing and really confident he will continue to improve and perhaps even regain some speach. For the cynics out there, I have to say Dtim is wonderful and absolutely dedicated - no interest in money, just wants her partner back and is doing everything she can to save him. Puts us Scots to shame really and we need to be doing something about it as her PERSONAL money is running out rapidly. You can easily see why it is costing 700 pounds per month to nurse him and they are all doing a spectacular job. I told Allan to get well soon and repay the debt (not financial) that he has to these ladies as really, their efforts are selfless. I think the papers should get a hold of this, get the TV crew out there again or do whatever it takes to raise some funds for his Thai partner to continue her care. If the cynics won’t trust her, put the money raised in the hands of a lawyer and give only what receipts are produced for; if the worst happens, the remainder can be donated to charity. I have been married to a Thai lady for 10 years and it has been the best 10 years of my life! let’s club together as a nation and give Allan another 10 years minimum!
Newspapers, TV, magazines and radio: please repeat this story as Allan could be on his way to recovery and needs monetary help from his birthplace! No more negative comments to avoid putting your hands in your pockets - dig deep and help! I will give the first 700 pounds!