Billy Moore (2014) A Prayer Before Dawn. A Nightmare in Thailand.

I’d read (and reviewed) Billy Moore’s A Prayer Before Dying. He tells the reader how Prisoner ‘Moore A7853AP’ is getting released from Wandsworth Prison. He’s finished his time after getting deported from the Thailand prison system. Free but not really free. Like over 70% of other prisoners he’s soon back to doing what he was doing. The UK prison system is a costly mess. But Moore is one of the lucky few.

For starters, he can read. His book, A Prayer Before Dawn, was made into a film. Prologue:  The story of his life onscreen. A Prayer Before Dawn. In the final fight scene, actor Joe Cole, who takes the part of Billy Moore, is in the ring as hundreds of inmates of Klong Phen Prison (the Bangkok Hilton) in Thailand watch him take on the local heavy. Billy sits with the French director as the audience in the cinema cheer.

I read an extended version of the prologue. Billy’s dad was an alcoholic wife beater who also boxed. Billy learned to box and not just through beatings. He fought for England as schoolboy level. So he was good. Drink and drugs took away his dreams. But the boxing gym was a place where he always felt at home.

‘I am a world-class, card-carrying pleasure seeker.’

Billy’s introduction to Thailand or ‘Thighland,’ as his mate Joey calls it. ‘The land of tits and sloppy shits.’

I’ve got a mate that goes there every year for as long as his money holds out and comes back home and saves up again. He loves it. Hedonism seems a bit wearing when we hit out sixties. But I guess he’s safe enough. He knows the dos and don’ts. The main danger isn’t being fleeced but, for him, going back on the booze. As he did once and that could have cost him.

Billy Moore was so determined to stay in Thailand, he trained with other fighters and learned the basics of Muay Thai. He fought bouts for tourist in Nimdam and Papa’s camp. He was making enough to survive on. One of the highlights was working with Sylvester Stallone on Rambo and having his latex throat ripped out by the American actor.

‘I found Stallone to be a total gentleman. He’s also a fine actor.’

Well…move on. Moore’s subsistence lifestyle no longer cuts it. His beautiful Thai girlfriend is taking him for a ride. And there’s that nagging sense that it could all be better if he cashed in and sold drugs. Not much. Not many. Just enough.

‘Ya Ba.’ Methamphetamine. ‘The crack cocaine of South East Asia.’

Moore could import it from Laos, which was much cheaper than in Thailand. Better quality too. Moore knew this because, of course, he was hooked. In Laos, he smashed his motorbike into ongoing traffic. He thought he was going to die. A pedal penetrated his intestine and it never really healed. But he made it back to Thailand.

He knew what to expect when he was arrested. But here’s where he got lucky. Thailand has the death penalty for drug dealers. In reality, it wouldn’t happen to an Englishman. Moore wasn’t caught with drugs. He’d concealed them up his arse. He was charged with possession of stolen phones. Fitted up with a three-year sentence. He’d get to go home. Many others he knew would not.

Epilogue. Moore becomes re-addicted to heroin and crack cocaine. His books made him no money (I can vouch for that). And the film company stole his money for the script. But he’s no longer living in the Bangkok Hilton and no longer mates with Stallone. He had brain cancer. I’m not sure he’s still alive? Read on.  

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