Double agony for family of Briton killed in Thailand
A YOUNG British tourist killed by a stray bullet in Thailand was travelling around the world to get over the tragic death of his father.
Stephen Ashton, 22, had quit his job as a City trader to go on a world trip following the death of his father from a brain tumour months after being hit over the head by a burglar.
Yesterday his grief- stricken family told of their devastation after the “cruel and tragic” killing.
Friends said Stephen had endured “a very tough year” after his father, John, died.
Businessman Mr Ashton, 51, who owned a wholesale seafood company, had confronted an intruder at the family’s £ 1million home in Purley, Surrey. After the incident Stephen helped care for John, who died in 2011.
Stephen had planned to spend up to two years in the Far East and Australia. But he was caught in crossfire in a clash between two local gangs as he danced at a New Year beach party on the paradise island of Koh Phangan.
Last night suspect Ekkapan Kaewkla, 26, was in custody on the island, which inspired the film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Yesterday Stephen’s distraught mother Diane, 48, and sister Emily, 20, were being comforted by relatives. Mrs Ashton, a solicitor, was making preparations to bring back her son’s body home.
A statement from the family released through the Foreign Office said: “We are completely devastated by the loss of Stephen. He has been taken away from us in such cruel and tragic circumstances in which he was an innocent bystander.
“We are comforted in the thought that he was having a fantastic time with friends after such a difficult period following the loss of his much loved dad and the loss of his grandad a few months earlier.
“We were all so proud of him. He will be truly missed by his family but also by the many friends he made during his life.”
His sister Emily, a student, said: “It is just such a shock. It hasn’t sunk in yet. We are trying to come to terms with it.”
Police said Kaewkla, who is due in court today, said the shooting was an accident. He told investigators he fired his weapon after finding himself outnumbered and overwhelmed by rival gangsters.
The Ashton family could face more heartache after it emerged the suspect may serve as little as two years in jail – or could even be handed a suspended sentence – if he co- operates with police and accepts a manslaughter charge.
Historically courts in Thailand have handed out light sentences for manslaughter.
Stephen was among 300 revellers on Haad Rin beach when rival gangs clashed and a home- made gun was fired. The former barrister’s clerk, who was staying with friends in nearby Ban Thai, was taken to Ban Don hospital but later pronounced dead.
A neighbour in Purley, Amar Maker, said: “It is incredibly unlucky for the family. I really feel for them that they have been struck by tragedy twice. You don’t want this to happen to any family, but least of all such a nice family.”
British ambassador in Thailand Mark Kent is flying to Koh Phangan, which is popular with backpackers and gap year students for its full moon parties.
It emerged yesterday that there have been a series of major crimes involving Britons on the island. Three British women made reports of rape last summer, a British man aged 28 was shot in the leg in August and another Briton was stabbed in May.
The incidents were reported to consular officials but details were not made public by local authorities. But the Foreign Office put out a warning about roaming Thai gangs on its website.
Mr Kent said yesterday: “Most people have a very enjoyable holiday but there are risks. In particular we mention there have been incidents involving Western tourists in Koh Phangan.”