Frenchman Missing for 6th Day in Surat Thani

Jean-francois Louet in an undated photo. Photo: Courtesy Steven Drylie‎

SURAT THANI — A French national is reportedly missing for a sixth day in the southern province of Surat Thani, local authorities said Monday.

Jean-francois Louet, 46, was to take a ferry from the mainland to Koh Tao with his girlfriend on the night of March 14, but he left the boat to find a convenience store and did not return. His French girlfriend, identified only as “Lea,” hasn’t heard from him since, local police commander Wisut Phupansri said.

“We are still looking for him,” said Col. Wisut, head of Surat Thani City Police Station. “Witnesses in the area said they saw him waving at the boat from the pier, like he missed the boat. All his bags were on the boat with his girlfriend.” 

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Steven Drylie, a rescue worker based on Koh Tao, said the last CCTV footage of Louet was when he left the pier for a 7-Eleven store. 

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Photo: Samui Times

According to Drylie, Louet was returning to Koh Tao from a trip to Indonesia with his girlfriend when the incident took place. He said he has no clue why Louet has not contacted anyone so far. 

“I don’t know if they had an argument before he left [the boat], but it’s been six days now,” Drylie said over telephone. “I don’t know why he’s still missing.” 

Drylie has drawn attention to Louet’s disappearance online and called on anyone with information to contact him.

Wisut said Louet has been living in Thailand for over 10 years and working as a diving instructor for a travel company on Koh Phangan. However, Louet’s Facebook profile indicates his company is on Koh Tao. 

The police colonel added that the French Embassy and Immigration Police in Bangkok have been informed. 

 

Teeranai Charuvastra can be reached at [email protected] and @Teeranai_C.

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