A family could be split apart after a Penge grandfather was threatened with deportation when the Home Office sent him a letter telling him he could be removed “without further notice”.

Rachai Kanyakamin, 53, who arrived in Britain aged two and has not left since, might be forced to go back to Thailand.

Mr Kanyakamin worked in various jobs including at a bowling alley and a bingo hall but is now a carer for his disabled 88-year-old mother.

The Home Office told News Shopper the ‘notice of enforcement’ letter was sent to the father-of-four in error as Mr Kanyakamin’s case was still “under consideration”.

Your Local Guardian:

Rachai Kanyakamin and Angela Moran.

His partner of 16 years Angela Moran, 51, said it would be a “dangerous and scary situation” if he had to move to Thailand, where he has not been since he left for Britain in 1965.

She said: “It would be horrendous, she [his mother] would have to lose her home and go in a care home.

“He can barely speak Thai at all, he knows the odd word, like how I know how to say ‘bonjour’ in French. It would be horrendous, it has come out of the blue.”

She added: “He has no family in Thailand that he knows of and he would be in a vulnerable, dangerous and scary situation.

“He has never left this country, he has never been anywhere else because he didn’t have a passport but there was no need to worry.”

The letter, dated May 16, read: “You will not be removed for the first seven calendar days after you receive this notice.

“Following the end of this seven day period, and for up to three months from the date of this notice, you may be removed without further notice.”

Mr Kanyakamin was a pupil at James Dixon Primary School before attending Kentwood School for Boys in Penge.

The “family man”, who is well-known in Penge, loves spending time with his six-year-old granddaughter.

He and Miss Moran were friends as teenagers but grew apart before they reconnected years later through their children from other relationships.

Miss Moran said: “Imagine being ripped away from everything and everyone you know and love, to be taken to a country that you don't know, to have no money, friends or family you can turn to and can barely speak the language.

“We are desperate to stop him being deported and are trying to raise the money to get the best solicitor to help keep Rachai here where he belongs, with his whole world being here in the UK.

“We all love him so much and this will be heart breaking for us all, especially myself and his mum.”

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said that they have apologised to Mr Kanyakamin and that no enforcement action would be taken while his case was under consideration, but would not comment further on how long the consideration would take.

The family are now raising money for solicitor’s fees as they attempt to fight any action taken.