Brit who survived sickle attack in Thailand attends memorial service for friend who was killed

A British man who survived being hacked with a sickle in Thailand attended a memorial service yesterday for his friend who was killed in the attack.

Shaun Dagnan was severely injured and Marcus Evans, 49, died when a neighbour went for them during a row over playing music while drinking.

The 55-year-old, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was found alongside his dead friend and rushed to a hospital in Kanchanaburi in the early hours of Saturday.

He survived but Mr Evans, who hails from Weston Super Mere, Somerset, passed away.

It comes as Mr Dagan’s friends started a crowdfunding campaign to pay for his medical costs.

Shaun Dagnan (right, yesterday), 55, was severely injured and Marcus Evans, 49, died when a neighbour went for them during a row over playing music while drinking

The 55-year-old, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was found alongside his dead friend and rushed to a hospital in Kanchanaburi in the early hours of Saturday

The 55-year-old, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was found alongside his dead friend and rushed to a hospital in Kanchanaburi in the early hours of Saturday

He survived but Mr Evans, who hails from Weston Super Mere, Somerset, passed away. Pictured: The ceremony yesterday

He survived but Mr Evans, who hails from Weston Super Mere, Somerset, passed away. Pictured: The ceremony yesterday

Wassana Muanchit, 33, who refers to herself as the wife of Marcus Evans, 49, (pictured together) has spoken of the moment she found his body lying face-down in a pool of blood covered in slashes

Wassana Muanchit, 33, who refers to herself as the wife of Marcus Evans, 49, (pictured together) has spoken of the moment she found his body lying face-down in a pool of blood covered in slashes

Pictured: the alleged weapon used in the attack was a sickle found at the scene

Pictured: the alleged weapon used in the attack was a sickle found at the scene

Local man Prasut Thipthep (pictured right wearing a blue face mask), 23, has been arrested over the killing and Ms Muanchit revealed that police let her speak to him

Local man Prasut Thipthep (pictured right wearing a blue face mask), 23, has been arrested over the killing and Ms Muanchit revealed that police let her speak to him

Yesterday he was pictured with his head heavily bandaged and wearing a neck brace as he attended a religious services for Mr Evans Marcus close to their house.

He said he was ‘feeling better’ at the Buddhist ceremony with blessings from monks outside the home.

There was also a shrine for Mr Evans with flowers and his favourite meal – burger, fries and a bottle of beer.

His girlfriend Wassana Muanchit, 33, also attended and sobbed while she was comforted by friends.

Mr Dagan said he was ‘still recovering’ and ‘wanted to get out of hospital’ but did not want to talk about what happened.

His girlfriend Nong said he was badly injured in the attack and lying on the ground alongside his close friend.

Yesterday he was pictured with his head heavily bandaged and wearing a neck brace as he attended a religious services for Mr Evans Marcus close to their house

Yesterday he was pictured with his head heavily bandaged and wearing a neck brace as he attended a religious services for Mr Evans Marcus close to their house

He said he was 'feeling better' at the Buddhist ceremony with blessings from monks outside the home

He said he was ‘feeling better’ at the Buddhist ceremony with blessings from monks outside the home

Mr Dagan said he was 'still recovering' and 'wanted to get out of hospital' but did not want to talk about what happened. Pictured: The ceremony yesterday

Mr Dagan said he was ‘still recovering’ and ‘wanted to get out of hospital’ but did not want to talk about what happened. Pictured: The ceremony yesterday

There was also a shrine for Mr Evans with flowers and his favourite meal - burger, fries and a bottle of beer

There was also a shrine for Mr Evans with flowers and his favourite meal – burger, fries and a bottle of beer

Nong added: ‘Shaun was on the ground. Both of them were on the ground and hurt. He couldn’t escape. But then while they were on the ground, the attacker ran away.’

Mr Dagan, who was still in pain and discomfort, said: ‘I’m fine now but I don’t want to talk about what happened. I’m stressed by everything that has happened.’

A friend added: ‘The music was not loud. The music was playing, but it wasn’t too loud. They were talking but not being noisy or keeping people awake.

‘They were just drinking and smoking cigarettes, talking like normal. There was no reason for the Thai man to react like that.’

Neighbours said the pair started drinking and eating with friends on Friday afternoon before they continued into the early hours of the morning.

They were playing songs from a Bluetooth speaker and drinking bottles of beet outside the single-storey rented home.

But neighbour Prasut Thipthep, 23, was allegedly angry about the noise and hurled himself at them with a sickle.

Mr Dagan, who was still in pain and discomfort, said: 'I'm fine now but I don't want to talk about what happened. I'm stressed by everything that has happened'

Mr Dagan, who was still in pain and discomfort, said: ‘I’m fine now but I don’t want to talk about what happened. I’m stressed by everything that has happened’

Neighbours said the pair started drinking and eating with friends on Friday afternoon before they continued into the early hours of the morning

Neighbours said the pair started drinking and eating with friends on Friday afternoon before they continued into the early hours of the morning

They were playing songs from a Bluetooth speaker and drinking bottles of beet outside the single-storey rented home

They were playing songs from a Bluetooth speaker and drinking bottles of beet outside the single-storey rented home

Mr Evans was found dead while Mr Dagan scrambled to safety. He was taken to hospital at around 4am local time.

His partner Muanchit told how she went to the police station and looked the alleged killer in the eyes and screamed ‘why did you kill him?’.

She said: ‘On the night it happened, my neighbour said my husband was lying down on the floor.

‘When I went out I found out he was dead. I was out of my mind because I loved him so much. He was the love of my life.

‘He was the main provider, he supported me and my daughter. He gave me a monthly allowance and my expenses are high, but my husband took amazing care of me. Now I don’t know what to do because I will have nobody to support me.

‘The police let me talk to the man who killed my husband. I looked in his eyes. I was still so angry at him. I asked him ‘why did you kill my husband?’.

‘I said I was very angry at him. I said ‘why couldn’t you talk or ask nicely? You could have told me or told the police, but you shouldn’t have killed him’.’

The moment police arrest Prasut Thipthep on January 23

Police said they had arrested a 23-year-old local man (pictured) with a history of mental health issues in connection with attack and had sustained injuries consistent with a knife fight

Police said they had arrested a 23-year-old local man (pictured) with a history of mental health issues in connection with attack and had sustained injuries consistent with a knife fight

A crowdfunding page was set up on Justgiving to help with Mr Dagan's recovery yesterday

A crowdfunding page was set up on Justgiving to help with Mr Dagan’s recovery yesterday

Thipthep was charged with intentional manslaughter over Mr Evans and attempting to kill Mr Dagan.

Police Lieutenant General Thanayut Vuthijarathamrong said: ‘From the investigation, the accused confessed that the cause of the death came from a disagreement with the deceased.

‘The injured victim and the deceased were drinking alcohol and playing loud music during the night until it caused dissatisfaction with the perpetrators and leading them to attack the men.

‘As for the matter that the perpetrator is said to be a psychiatric patient. The perpetrator had a history of receiving treatment but must be examined thoroughly whether he is considered a patient with real psychiatric symptoms or not because if it is concluded that the perpetrator has a psychiatric illness, the prosecution will be different from a suspect with no mental disorders.’

A crowdfunding page was set up on Justgiving to help with Mr Dagan’s recovery yesterday.

A friend wrote: ‘We’re very lucky to still have Shaun with us after sustaining his very serious injuries. His travel insurance had lapsed due to an unexpected extended stay.

‘While he is receiving some support from immigration and the British consulate this isn’t going to be a short process.

‘We are trying to raise funds to help support with costs of medical expenses and recovery. Any donations and help will be greatly appreciated.’

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