Report A Man's Decades-Long Search for His Thai Mother

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

Jeffrey, a 38-year-old Australian, is reaching out for help in a quest that has consumed his life: finding his Thai mother. Separated as a child, Jeffrey has spent decades longing for a reunion.

 

Born in Phuket, Jeffrey's early life changed when his parents separated. He and his younger brother moved to Australia with their father, and their connection to their mother was lost. Despite Jeffrey's questions about her, the answer was always, "I don't know."

 

At 18, Jeffrey committed to tracing his roots, working hard to save money for a journey back to Phuket. He hoped to reconnect with the mother he scarcely remembers. During his trip, he sought help from local police, but language barriers made the search difficult. Without an English interpreter, they relied on translation software, which led nowhere. His efforts were further hampered by the absence of his mother's 13-digit ID on his birth certificate, making her challenging to locate.

 

The emotional search intensified when Jeffrey's father was diagnosed with cancer. During his father's final days, Jeffrey and his brother visited him daily. Jeffrey asked, "Do you want to see your mother one last time?" But his father remained silent and passed away without closure.

 

Now, over 30 years later, Jeffrey continues his search, hoping to care for his mother and hear her story. Will his lifelong quest finally find closure, or will it remain incomplete?

 

This moving journey will be featured on the TV program อีเต้ยอีจัน, airing tomorrow, June 28, at 1 PM, following the Amarin noon news on Amarin TV HD, Channel 34.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-27

 

 

[hotchilli]

I admire him...

But if it was me in this case I'd not bother, live a good life and look to the future not dwell on the past.

[zackxx]

Sure it's good to know who your mother is but she would have moved on with her life and probably has more kids with another man, Jeffery's 1/2 brothers or sisters. She might also ask Jeffery for financial support which would burden Jeffery even more.

 

"The emotional search intensified when Jeffrey's father was diagnosed with cancer. During his father's final days, Jeffrey and his brother visited him daily. Jeffrey asked, "Do you want to see your mother one last time?" But his father remained silent and passed away without closure."

 

I believe they meant "my mother" instead of the father's mother.

[saakura]

Sad for children to grow up like this. At least when they grew up to be adults, they should have been allowed to meet their mother and make their own decision. But the father may have been very badly betrayed by her and he genuinely had lost all touch with her.

[Tazmo]

I have a friend who was adpoted, sadly adopted people never get to know their real parents and during adolescence some become obsessed with knowing their real parents looks; habits; customs etc.

My friend has a liking for taking in stray dogs! I guess symbolically he could identify with them?? Plenty of those dogs and cats in Thailand.

But this Guy’s father sounded mean and selfish!

[Homburg]

Good luck in your quest Jeffrey.  I hope it works out for you.

[Watawattana]

46 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I admire him...

But if it was me in this case I'd not bother, live a good life and look to the future not dwell on the past.

 

I think I'd be the same.  I'd be curious but ultimately I probably wouldn't let it consume me.  It's been consuming him though, and I hope he gets closure.

[Peterphuket]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

I admire him...

But if it was me in this case I'd not bother, live a good life and look to the future not dwell on the past.

It may well be, if it concerns yourself you will judge differently.

Searching for your roots can be very intense and largely define your life.

[EVENKEEL]

Must be sad not knowing your mother.

[Patong2021]

Some assumptions are made about the mother which are unfair. Maybe she  had no other option, but the surrender of the children.

A mother, unless psychologically deficient, loves her child, and is emotionally damaged when forced to give up that child. The negative opinions are coming from elderly men, some of whom probably had failed marriages or unhappy relations with the bargirl they married. It is reasonable for any adopted person to want to know what their family history is especially as it relates to medical history. It is the dysfunctional person who does not wish to know of their ancestors.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

This is his own business and how he feels and what he wants to do about it are totally understandable. I think now that he is in Thailand he will find her, unless she doesn't want to be found, which I doubt. He doesn't need parenting any more and is a mature adult, I see no reason why she shouldn't be thrilled to see him again. I wish him the best.