A missing son...

[Siani]

Where are the police? Surely they should look into this. Also there will be a record of which ATM was used, the banking system is very up to date these days. Look at the photos...ask about the account number and card etc.

I understand the families concern about the situation but keep in mind that a 22 year old using his own ATM card, if he is, is a private matter that has nothing really to do with the Police. Obviously if someone else is using the card that is a different thing all together. Also, even if the Police locate this man, if there is nothing criminal involved he could choose to stay lost in Thailand if he so wishes.
I'm not saying that is a good thing, just pointing out that he may be making a personal choice that he has every right to do as an adult.

I agree with you SG, but sometimes people do go missing as well. Would he have to renew his visa I wonder? If so, that would be a matter for the Thai authorities and they may find him.
I had an experience with a young man of 18 yrs old some years back. We took this young chap on holiday with us and our son to France. After a couple of fab weeks, we headed home after all having a great time. During the holiday this chap became friendly with the son (same age) of the manager, who managed the villa which we rented. This other chap had told him he was going on to val d'isere to manage the ski lodges there for his Dad. Anyway, the young man we took wanted to go with him...naturally. I said he must go home first and talk to his parents. We got back to the UK, we left him by his car which was outside our house. About an hour later the parents rang to ask where he was...he had not even gone into the house! It was just by chance that Mr S saw his car outside the bank, went in and confronted him. The little blighter was intending to run off to the ski resort, he had drawn all his savings out!
So...young men of that age sometimes do reckless things, maybe Tom did not want to go back and carry on in Thailand. It does sound though, as if he was in regular contact with his mother, so it does also seem that something may be wrong. May be the police can look into "the bit of bother" he was in and clarify that a bit.

[Vital Spark]

I totally agree with you Steve, about him being old enough to do what he wants. However, he should get in contact with his family to reassure them that he's OK. Just a "Get off my back Mum, I'm staying here..." would suffice.

We've emailed his mother, who's thinking of coming out here, to advise her not to give the police any money, and to stay in Khao San Road to get the word around the youngsters there. We know nothing more than the press releases, but the latest one I read said that he was due to join the Royal Navy, but broke his leg - so his job has been delayed. He looks like a guy who likes to have fun, and I'm wondering (hoping) that he has decided that the laid-back lifestyle in Thailand is far more preferable than the strict regime of the forces (and who can blame him?). We have no idea about the 'spot of bother' in Bangkok - could just be overstay, or could be something more serious. Apparently Interpol are now involved, so they should be able to find out the exact location of the money withdrawal, and hopefully put pressure on the Thai police to get a photo of the withdrawer.

Ever being the optimist, I would like to think that he just doesn't want to return to cold, wintery, sleepy Suffolk. I do hope that I'm right.

VS

[Vital Spark]

He's been found safe and well.

http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/kelsale_miss ... _1_1938033

Whatever his reasons were, he shouldn't have put his parents through such trauma. It'd be nice for everyone who tried to find him to know why he did what he did. Just 'He's been found, thanks' is not enough.

VS

[STEVE G]

Good news VS, as I mentioned before, far more people get 'lost' in Thailand than come to any kind of unfortunate end.

[Siani]

Wonderful news...I have been hoping all is well.

[MrPlum]

It'd be nice for everyone who tried to find him to know why he did what he did. Just 'He's been found, thanks' is not enough.

Echo that. Would be nice to know the young ladies name.

[margaretcarnes]

It really is a relief to hear there's a happy ending. Hope his Mum gives him a clip round the ear though!

[Dannie Boy]

Although it is good news, I hope this young man realises what a stupid lad he has been - his parents must have gone to hell and back and often assumed the worst. Whatever the reason why he did this - and yes we were all young once, but there is simply no excuses for his behaviour and putting his parents through such an ordeal.

[STEVE G]

I agree that he should have been more thoughtful but he is 22 and at that age I'd been in the military for six years and wouldn't have expected my parents to call Interpol every time I went off the radar-screen for a month or two. (Luckily they didn't as I once forgot to tell them that I was heading to the seas north of Murmansk for 9 weeks chasing Russian submarines!)