British family attacked in Thailand say punches 'just came out of the blue'

'We had never seen the guys before we left the bar we were in' says man who was beaten up along with his parents

Four local men have been arrested in connection to the attack (IPC)

A British man has spoken out about the attack he and his parents endured on the streets of a Thai resort town.

Lewis Owen, along with his parents Rosemary and Lewis, was set upon by a group of street thugs who punched and kicked the trio into unconsciousness.

The incident, which was caught on CCTV, took place during New Year celebrations in the beach resort town of Hua Hin.

All three family members, who have been visiting Thailand since the 1980s, have vowed never to return.

Mrs Owen, 65, needed an operation to ease swelling on her brain while her 68-year-old husband sustained heavy bruising, two black eyes and needed six stitches in his forehead.

Their son Lewis Owen, who is a Singapore-based graphic designer, said: "I'm not going back to Thailand again. Mum and Dad won't be either.

"We were all unconscious. My mum did not even realise she had been kicked in the face.

"I did not know my head had been stamped on."

Warning: The CCTV footage below includes upsetting scenes

He added: "We had never seen the guys before we left the bar we were in

"It was just out of the blue."

Four local men have been arrested and charged in relation to the attack.

A spokesman for the Tourism Authority of Thailand said: "If found guilty, the perpetrators of this incident will face full justice under Thai law.

"The Tourism Authority of Thailand would like to express our deepest sorrow to the family who were subjected to the assault in Hua Hin during the Songkran celebrations."

Neighbours of the Owens in Wenvoe, South Wales, have described the couple as lovely and peaceful people.