KANCHANABURI — Kanchanaburi Governor has launched an intensive search for a 19-year-old British man who vanished from Pattaya on September 26, after CCTV footage captured him attempting to cross into Myanmar from Sangkhla Buri district. Authorities fear he may have been lured by scam gang recruiters despite official warnings.
Gulnara, a Thai-Russian mother living in Chonburi Province, filed a missing person report in Pattaya seeking public assistance to locate her son, Lawrence. Her concern deepened after detecting his email activity near the Sangkhla Buri area of Kanchanaburi Province, along the Myanmar border.
On October 2, Kanchanaburi Governor Athisan Intara ordered local officials, Sangkhla Buri police, and immigration officers to review CCTV footage from roads, hotels, and resorts throughout the district—both in town and along the border at Ban Phra Chedi Sam Ong in Nong Lu subdistrict—after witnesses reported seeing someone matching Lawrence’s description in Tha Makham subdistrict.
Following the Trail
CCTV footage from Century Hotspring Resort in Ban Dan Chedi Sam Ong shows Lawrence walking in the rain on September 27 at 3:32 PM, carrying a large bag. Resort staff said he had stopped by to charge his mobile phone before leaving on foot.
Additional footage captured him hitchhiking near Sai Yok Noi Waterfall in Sai Yok district. A teacher driving through the area picked him up and gave him a ride to Sangkhla Buri. Authorities are now trying to locate this teacher for more information.
Border Incident
The most alarming development came later that same day, when immigration officers at the Myanmar border spotted Lawrence attempting to cross into Phaya Tong Su township. Officers intervened, explaining that border crossings to Myanmar are currently prohibited.
Immigration officials noticed Lawrence was constantly on his phone and attempting to slip through the fence. They stopped him and escorted him to the bus terminal, instructing him to return home. That was the last confirmed sighting—until his family reported him missing.
Authorities now believe Lawrence slipped across the border when officers were momentarily distracted. His constant phone conversations suggest he may have been in contact with someone on the Myanmar side.
Scam Gang Fears
Gulnara described her son as quiet but highly intelligent with strong computer skills. She fears he may have been deceived into crossing to Myanmar to work for online scam operations—a growing concern along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Governor Athisan has mobilized all relevant agencies to conduct a comprehensive search until Lawrence is found.
_______
