A MUM who left the UK four years ago to live a ‘dream life’ in Thailand has claimed she has been detained in a Thai jail for overstaying her visa.
Ellis Matthews, 32, who previously appeared on reality show Judge Rinder after squandering her £6million fortune, has now racked up 16,000 followers thanks to her new overseas life.
Brit mum Ellis Matthews has bragged online about claiming £2,300 of benefits while living abroad[/caption]
Ellis has claimed she is now being held in prison in Thailand – but some have questioned her story[/caption]
In her bikini-clad clips she has shared how her sun-soaked lifestyle is funded by the British taxpayer, as she said she gets £2,300 a month in benefits due to her “six mental disorders.”
In recent weeks, ex-charity worker Ellis – originally from Lancashire – has claimed her tropical escape has taken a dark turn.
She alleges that police raided her one-bedroom bungalow home in Pattaya, where she lives with youngest son Cairo, and claims she has now been jailed.
Ellis is also mum to some older children who she left behind in the UK and doesn’t miss due to seeing them as “surrogacies.”
Ellis, who posts under @mumontheruninasia and previously went by the name of Ellise May Matthews, has stated she is having to endure stark conditions in the Thai detention centre.
While some people have questioned if her story is true, one of the snaps on her page appears to show a fellow inmate behind bars, with the surrounding jail having rubbish on the floor and filthy walls.
Captioning one clip, she wrote: “I don’t care about me but please pray for my son.”
Following her plight, a GoFundMe page has been set up in her name – with donations currently at £150.
The donation page states it was set up “without her permission” and at the “request of others on TikTok.”
The description read: “Keeping it short but will update. Funds needed to support Mum On the run and Cairo.”
On her TikTok account, Ellis has previously given advice to other people keen to use the UK benefits system while living abroad.
One clip showed her in bikini holding cash and she said: “I picked up my Disability Living Allowance today and I’ve been doing so for the past four years of not living in the UK.”
She explained: “I am diagnosed with around six mental disorders that without in-house treatment, without me being put into a hospital for a minimum of one year, my prognosis is quite poor therefore I need ongoing treatment costs to be met by the NHS by the taxpayer, thank you very much.”
Ellis added: “So, I receive around £2,300 per month undisputable [SIC] money and that pays for my lifestyle out here in Thailand.”
The Gov website states that British citizens living overseas “may still be able to claim some benefits” while living overseas, and “what you’re entitled to depends on where you’re going and how long for.”
Despite this, Thailand isn’t currently listed on the countries that have a UK benefits arrangement.
What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?
DISABILITY Living Allowance (DLA) is a UK government benefit that helps with the extra costs of living with a disability or long-term health condition.
However, it is now mostly phased out for adults and has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Who Can Get DLA?
- Children under 16: DLA is still available for children who need extra care or have mobility difficulties.
- Adults aged 16 or over: New claims for DLA are no longer accepted; they must apply for PIP instead.
- Existing DLA claimants: Some adults still receive DLA, but they are gradually being moved to PIP
According to Thai rules, British citizens can stay in the country for three months on a tourism visa, but this can be extended for another month upon request.
If you go over your stay, the fine is 500 Baht (£11.40) for each day.
Despite the GoFundMe page asking for donations, some people have urged people to not donate cash.
One person wrote: “Ellis is fed, watered and sheltered whilst detained in the detention centre.
“Cairo is being cared for and doesn’t need any money donating.”
On her Judge Rinder episode, Ellis claims she was awarded £6million after she was let down by Lancashire local authorities in childhood.
However, there is no proven record of this compensation.
Ellis stated she lived in 130 homes as a child and her mother being subject to “constant drug raids” and being in and out of prison.
She stated: “I was raised by the local authority and the case was brought to them for negligence and damages and failure to provide a safe environment. Numerous placements, numerous schools..”
Ellis was caught drug driving in 2020 after taking cocaine and cannabis.
