Aberglasslyn couple Todd and Kate Ellenor have just returned from the holiday from hell.
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Their recent trip to Thailand resulted in a terrifying and life-threatening experience they never want any other traveller to go through.
The couple, both seasoned travellers, were drugged, separated, lost $400 and are unable to account for six hours on the third night of their nine-day trip.
They shared their story with the Mercury to warn other holiday makers of the many dangers even the most savvy travellers can face when heading abroad.
This was Todd’s ninth trip to Thailand.
He and Kate have made many friends in the country which they love and treat as their second home.
“We’re not boofhead travellers,” Todd said. “We have both travelled extensively and we are very guarded with our money and personal belongings and we never let our guard down, but this night was beyond our control.”
The couple flew to Thailand on Christmas Day and spent their vacation in Pattaya on Thailand’s eastern gulf coast.
“We left a mate’s pub to catch up with some acquaintances at another bar,” Todd said.
“We were on our third drink and then I have nothing, no memory, after that.”
Blood tests revealed that their drinks were laced with the date rape drug Rohypnol cut with Ratsak.
They did not leave their drinks unattended and believe they were spiked before they were served.
He said friends had received text messages from his phone saying he had visited two other bars but he has no recollection of this.
“I can’t account for what happened between 9 and 9.30pm that night until 4.10am the next day.
“I got a text from Kate asking where was I and I wrote back but I don’t remember doing that.”
When Todd did regain his memory he was panic stricken, finding himself 10 kilometres away on one side of Pattaya he had never been to before and learning that Kate was back in their hotel room.
“Kate had no idea how she got back into the room but staff said they let her in,” Todd said. “She was terrified when she realised I wasn’t in the hotel room with her.”
Kate took a motorcycle taxi to try to find Todd and at the same time, Todd was making his way back to their accommodation, thanks to a security guard who took his phone, rang Kate and found out where the couple was staying.
When they were finally reunited, Todd said he and Kate broke down.
“My biggest fear was that Kate had been raped,” he said. “We checked each others bodies for any injuries and we were both OK.
“Our advice is be on your guard 24/7, don’t be complacent, don’t leave drinks unattended and no matter how friendly strangers are do not trust them,” Todd said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns that tourists may be exposed to scams and more serious criminal activity in Thailand.
It warns travellers to be aware that food and drink spiking occurs, including around popular backpacker destinations such as Khao San Road in Bangkok the night-time entertainment zones in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, and during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.
