Fears are escalating for a British teenager who has gone missing from a hotel in Thailand, sparking concerns that he may have been coerced into working at a deceptive Chinese mafia facility with no means of escape.
Lawrence Honour, a 19-year-old computer whiz, was last seen leaving his lodging in Kanchanabur on September 26. Reports indicate that he attempted to cross into neighboring Myanmar but was turned back by border officials due to ongoing conflicts.
Authorities, along with his family, are worried that he might be held against his will inside one of the call center factories controlled by Chinese criminal syndicates, where workers endure grueling hours and mistreatment.
His devastated family has issued a poignant plea as they intensify efforts to locate and bring him back home, suspecting that he may have fallen victim to a scam lure. Lawrence resides in Thailand with his mother, Gulnara, and British father, Julian Honour.
Gulnara expressed her distress over his disappearance, stating, “Lawrence left home on September 26, and we lost contact with him. I reported the incident to the Pattaya City Police Station. Discovering his movements in Kanchanaburi province through his email records was deeply concerning.”
“He is a reserved and tech-savvy individual. I fear that he may have been deceived into visiting one of these fraudulent centers in Myanmar, where escape is restricted,” she added.
Allegedly, he was intercepted while trying to breach a fence into Myanmar and was subsequently sent back. Witnesses claimed to have seen him hitchhiking later that evening before being picked up by a passerby, prompting authorities to launch a frantic search.
Police Colonel Santi Phitaksakul, superintendent of the Sangkhlaburi district station, remarked, “The boy’s mother remains hopeful. She is unaware of the circumstances leading to his presence here. The last communication she had with him indicated he was already in Sangkhlaburi.”
“Subsequently, a local spotted him hitchhiking at Sai Yok Waterfall, heading towards the border. A compassionate Thai driver offered him a ride. It is now believed that he may have crossed into Myanmar,” he continued.
Efforts are underway to collaborate with Myanmar authorities in the search, with reports of potential sightings in the area. The reasons behind his journey are under scrutiny, with speculations suggesting he may have been influenced by external parties rather than embarking on a tourist visit.
The investigation is focusing on tracing his movements to ascertain whether he ventured to a casino or other locations. There are suspicions that he may have utilized discreet routes, possibly with the aid of individuals on the Myanmar side familiar with the passage paths.