The westerner with no legs whose story about him selling hamburgers in Bangkok went viral on social media has quit due to verbal attacks on that same media. He said that his life is in ruins.
Now the former airline pilot has decided to shut down his stall in Nimit Mai Road, Bangkok.
Gareth Payne said on his No Name Burger Facebook fan page that he had been “verbally attacked”. He cited other farangs “on some site” as being responsible. He said that people were “talking so bad” about him and he just wanted to make people happy and be left alone.
In a heartfelt plea, the family man added yesterday evening: “Thank you everyone who has been supportive. But this has gone way too far. People debating my life career and just wanting to talk about me…. both good and bad.
“I have had to shut down. It breaks my heart to see my world collapse like this. I will not be opening again. For a long time. I am so sorry. All the likes, questions and people following.
It’s just way too much. I only wanted to make people happy. Show that we are all equal. But once again a few nasty people can’t see good in my work and want to hurt me. Sadly they don’t think of the hurt to my family, my friends or my children by talking how they do…… good luck everyone. Sorry you didn’t taste my burgers…Gareth. aka Gaz”.
Mr Payne lost both his legs after going out jogging in the UK and fainting. He fell on a railway track and a train went over him, severing both legs.
Despite this horrific accident, Gareth was determined not to sit back and feel sorry for himself and built a new life in Thailand.
This story shows the power of social media to do both good and bad. However, it is beyond belief that anyone would want to make this poor man suffer for trying to support his family, despite all he had endured.
Sad, both the story and the people responsible.
(Source: Thaivisa and Daily News)