Teacher grateful after emergency surgery in Thailand

A teacher recovering from life-saving brain surgery in Thailand said he was "so appreciative" of the support from strangers who helped raise thousands of pounds to cover his medical bills.

Michael Batten, from Lightwater, Surrey, moved to Thailand in 2020 but suffered an ischemic stroke two weeks ago, which has affected his motor function despite successful surgery.

"At first, I thought it was a migraine, but for days I was in agony," the 36-year-old said.

Nearly 60 people have raised more than £8,500 to help towards the portion of his bills not covered by his medical insurance.

Batten added: "I was worried about how my mum was feeling about it. My sisters came out to visit me in Thailand, so it was probably really hard for them to see me like that.

"Words can't express how grateful I am. This proves what the power of people can do."

Batten, who teaches history at a school in Chiang Mai, in the north of Thailand, said that he had now been released from hospital after being admitted two weeks ago.

After initially going to one hospital after feeling unwell, he said that he was sent home before returning to another hospital in the following days.

He was eventually diagnosed with a benign brain tumour but was later told that he had suffered the stroke.

An ischemic stroke is when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes obstructed, and accounts for most strokes.

So far, about £8,500 (375,500 Thai Baht) has been raised through the GoFundMe to cover medical treatment and ongoing care.

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