A Scottish backpacker stranded in Thailand following his arrest over a misplaced mobile phone must wait another six weeks to learn whether he will be permitted to return home. Rory McColl, a 37-year-old father-of-one from Edinburgh, has been stuck in the country since March after police accused him of theft. McColl maintained that he mistakenly picked up a device belonging to a German tourist at a bar along Bangkok’s Khao San Road, believing it was his own after completing a 30-hour travel journey. The phone was returned to its owner shortly afterward, and McColl explained the mix-up to both bar security and law enforcement.
Despite the explanation, McColl was initially taken to a police station and subsequently spent two nights sleeping on a concrete floor in a jail cell before securing release on bail. His passport was seized upon his release, preventing him from leaving the country. Although two police officers testified during a Thursday court appearance that the incident was indeed a misunderstanding, the proceedings have dragged through seven separate hearings without a final resolution. The court continued the case, setting a final verdict date for December 9.
The prolonged legal battle has severely disrupted McColl’s life and finances. According to his parents, Helen and John, their son has lost his apartment and his employment while remaining stranded abroad. Following his release on bail, McColl briefly resided in Pattaya, located about 90 miles southeast of Bangkok, and is currently staying with a family in northern Thailand while awaiting the conclusion of the case.
The family has shouldered significant personal and financial strain during the ordeal. Helen, 70, came out of retirement and took on dog-care work to help cover mounting legal expenses, while John, 66, noted that his son’s mental health suffered initially from the uncertainty. Family members expressed tempered expectations ahead of the upcoming December hearing, noting that previous court appearances have repeatedly ended in disappointment.
“He just wants to see his son,” Helen said, adding that the family is trying to avoid building excessive hopes for the December date. If the court finally brings the case to a close, she said, the resolution will bring a euphoric homecoming for the family.
