John Shepherd, a 62-year-old former English teacher, once warned that he had little body fat left and that his time might be near. He spoke of a supposed end, but his message soon shifted. The drama began over a dispute about a Bangkok parking project that allegedly affected his home. He demanded compensation of 3.5 million lira, asserting damages tied to a hotel and a chain involved in the project.
The case drew attention from mainstream British media who highlighted concerns about Shepherd’s health. A notable public figure at the time offered a call for mercy, urging a constructive dialogue with the hotel group and warning that ending his life would be a tragedy given his vulnerable state. The story then evolved as Shepherd persisted in his protest, choosing to pursue his cause from within the system. He wore a wig and checked into a newly opened London hotel, aiming to bring attention to his grievances through an ongoing protest inside the facility.
notification
The report from El Periódico de España confirmed that the hotel chain acknowledged a guest had a hunger strike inside a room. The involved properties included St. Mary’s, a Minor Hotels property managed by Marriott International, and the chain’s London presence was referenced in discussions about past actions and appropriate legal channels. The company explained that local authorities were informed and the hotel’s management worked with officials to navigate the situation.
The spokesperson for Minor Hotels stated that guest health and safety remained a priority. The management team in London was cooperating with authorities to obtain guidance on the next steps. They expressed concern for the guest’s well-being and conveyed a wish for a positive resolution. The guest arrived at the hotel and announced the hunger strike with the aim of securing satisfaction of his demands, suggesting a continuation of the prior protest strategy.
Hunger strike
Shepherd’s conflict with the hotel groups traces back to 2008 in Bangkok, where he studied at Harrow International School. In an area near the Regis hotel site, changes in property plans and a nearby parking development allegedly caused him ongoing discomfort. He claimed that these adjustments violated planning rules and created ongoing issues such as sewer problems near his residence.
Following his letters to local newspapers, Shepherd faced police attention in Thailand, with authorities reviewing allegations against him. While he traveled abroad, reports circulated that an arrest warrant had been issued for associates. He eventually chose not to return and faced a dispute with an apartment management firm that contributed to the loss of his dwelling.
Believing that authorities were acting against him as part of a broader conspiracy, Shepherd began his first hunger strike early in 2020. His case resonated in England, drawing support from various circles, including scholars and clergy, who spoke out in his defense. He posted videos asserting that if he died it would be a protest against the alleged crimes of the hotel sector and the firms involved in the disputes. He urged intervention and accountability from the parties named in his case.
Executives from Marriott met with him to seek a fair resolution for all sides, but Shepherd maintained that he was being harassed. A Marriott spokesperson noted that Shepherd had been given opportunities to prove his claims but did not do so, pointing out that Minor Hotels, not Marriott itself, was responsible for certain developments. The channel for complaints, according to the spokesperson, was through the relevant hotel entities.
Shepherd concluded his hunger strike for a period and then vanished from public attention until recent events. He later returned to protest, asserting his resolve to stay in a hotel room until his demands were met and asserting that the hunger would continue until a satisfactory outcome was achieved.