Missing British Backpacker Last Seen In Koh Tao

[kendo]

Concerns growing for missing British backpacker last seen in Koh Tao

26 year old Lauren Hebden went travelling in September 2013. During her travels she kept in touch on a regular basis via email and Skype, however other than one email in December 2014 communication stopped in September 2014. Concern for Lauren’s well-being is now growing.

It is believed her last known whereabouts was Koh Tao, although there is a possibility she moved to another island, her Facebook page suggests she was working at a SCUBA diving shop on Siree Beach.

Lauren is white, of medium build and has blue eyes and brown hair she is 5’10” tall.

If you have any knowledge of her whereabouts please call 0800 089 8485 from the UK or +44 800 098 8485 from abroad to contact missingabroad.org or click here to contactmissingpeople.org.uk

[HHTel]

Hope the girl is found alive and well. However, +44 800 will not work.

[Bristolian]

I also hope that she is found safe and sound, enjoying herself and simply forgetful to phone home. However after the outburst to the Thai press, by the local Mayor of the island, complaining that the British press are not helping the tourist numbers, I hope that the authorities look into this mysterious and apparently dangerous island for all young tourists. Then again, "Wake up Bristolian TIT"

Without links check the last two articles from AD, especially the open letter to the Mayor of Koh Tao

[Spitfire]

These islands are the wild west and someone could "disappear" for a while without any notice being taken. Obviously the recent events have focused the spotlight on these islands (and it's akin to rabbits in the headlights for the locals) but they (the islands) are unpoliced really and left alone usually.....hence the arrogance of the locals that live there, especially those who hold the psuedo power.

You can see this situation through other ways such as the fact that the locals run "visa" services for foreigners who stay too long, dive instructors who live for months on end working without work permits or paying taxes and much more. Even in this story you are talking about foreigners working freely at dive shops & bars/nighclubs with no work permits because they feel they are so far removed from Thai law.

If the BBK cops make a visit, everyone shuts down as they know when they are incoming, make it look sweet and normal while the mainland cops are there....then, once gone, go back to the "who gives a flying F%&#" attitude that prevails and all is well.

Been like that for years and I know from personal experience of the place.

[Vital Spark]

This island is beginning to sound a bit like 'Hotel California'. It has huge appeal to the young, probably because of what Spitfire outlined above. I do hope that the young lass has done what a friend of a friend's son did a couple of years ago. He'd also stayed on the island and 'disappeared' (I think I put something on here at the time). He was eventually found in Bangkok, perfectly OK, but not wanting to go back to boring, sleepy Suffolk.

Must be absolute hell for her family, considering what's been happening there over the past few months, but let's hope that there's a happy outcome to this particular case.

I'm a bit confused as to why a charity (missingabroad.org) is using a money-making contact phone line. Surely, that'll put some people off who may have some information.

VS

[Frank Hovis]

I'm sure 0800 numbers a still free (from a landline in the UK).

[Vital Spark]

After looking at their site again, you're absolutely right Frank.

It's actually quite heart-breaking to find out that there are so many missing people around the world. Let's hope that this young lady doesn't stay on the list too long.

VS