'Let my family come home to Doncaster from Thailand before coronavirus traps us'

Callum Wainwright left his home in Moorends five years ago to be with his Thai wife, Kae, running a shop together in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok.

The couple are now married with a 13 month old daughter, Freyja.

But they want to leave the country following a row with the Thai authorities after their office was raided by men claiming to be police, who they say were not wearing uniforms or carrying any ID.

Callum, aged 25, said they forced their way into the building, and accused 27-year-old Kae of not paying customs tax. The couple say she is not an importer and has never had to pay it .

They say they demanded the equivalent of about £9,000 pounds in cash the moment they entered the property. Callum refused, and said they lowered the amount to less than £3,000.

He said they made threats to them, and took his wife and child away and held them in a restaurant – which he described as ‘kidnapping’ them.

He has complained to the authorities, but said the investigation was being handled by the people who were affiliated to those he had complained about. Now he says they have been told they could be prosecuted for making the allegations.

He said: “I have over 100 pages of pictures and written accounts, and dozens of voice and video recordings of what has happened, but the main thing I am wanting is to be back in the UK with my family so we can fight the corruption in safety and not fear for our lives every time we hear leaves rustle outside or someone open a gate.”

He and Freyja are both British citizens and can leave the country. But Kae is not, and would require a visa. They applied for a visa on February 20, but are still waiting for news. Now they fear that the global concerns over the coronavirus will shut down flights, leaving them unable to get to the UK.

They do not want to split as a family.

His sister, Natasha, from Moorends, is now fighting his case in the UK and said Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband was helping them. She has sent tweets to Boris Johnson urging him to step in and help.

She said: “All I want is my brother, his wife and baby safe in the UK.”

Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband confirmed he raised the case with the British Government.

He said: “I have been contacted by the Wainwright family and I have contacted Government agencies on their behalf to try and help them.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “All core and essential services are continuing to run, including the processing of visas, and there is a dedicated helpline available for anyone who wishes to discuss their individual circumstances.

“We do not routinely comment on individual cases.”

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth said the department was supporting Mr Wainwright in his visa application but added they would not comment on the other issues.