The Brit who wrote the successful book A Prayer Before Dawn, about taking part in Muay Thai tournaments in Thai prisons, had to miss the premiere of the movie version of his book over the weekend — because he was arrested and went back to jail in the UK on the same weekend as the premiere.
Billy Moore, 45, from Liverpool, was arrested on Friday for suspicion of breaking into his female neighbor’s house three times in one day to steal jewelry, flip-flops, and booze, among other items. This allegedly happened on Sept. 3 of last year, reported Liverpool Echo.
The movie adaptation of his book has been successful so far, it played at the Cannes Film Festival in May to good reviews.
The film is based on the 2014 best seller of the same name and is based on the true story of Moore, a young British boxer who landed himself in Chiang Mai Central Prison and later at the “Bangkok Hilton,” aka Klong Prem Central Prison.
Moore came to Thailand to escape heroin addiction and alcoholism in England, became a Muay Thai fighter in a bid to stay sober, but saw his life unravel as he became hooked on yaba.
At Klong Prem, Moore fought to survive, made strategic friends, and joined the prison’s Muay Thai boxing team — all while battling his addictions in an environment where drugs remained in ready supply.
The author has a history of arrests in his home country. Since it will be his third arrest for burglary in the UK, he can face a minimum jail term of two years and five months, if convicted. He allegedly already pleaded guilty at Liverpool’s Crown Court.
No word yet on when the movie will premiere in Thailand, though it opens in U.S. in the next few weeks.
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