Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A French tourist has expressed immense relief and gratitude after being reunited with his 13-year-old son, who was found by tourist police on Koh Phangan following an accidental separation during a ferry journey.

 

The incident occurred on 10 July, when Mr Nicolas 50, was travelling with his son on a Lomprayah ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui. During a scheduled stop at Koh Phangan, the boy mistakenly disembarked, believing it was their intended destination. By the time Mr Nicolas realised what had happened, the ferry had already departed.

 

At approximately 19:05, Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit received a report from Mr Nicolas regarding the disappearance. Officers from the Koh Phangan Tourist Police unit launched an immediate search of the area around Thong Sala Pier, where they soon found the boy walking alone along the roadside.

 

After confirming his identity and nationality matched the details in the missing person report, officers escorted him to the local tourist police service unit. With no money or mobile phone, the boy was provided with cash for food and personal items by police. Due to the late hour and lack of available ferry services to Koh Samui, the boy was allowed to stay overnight at the police unit with his father’s consent.

 

Tourist police on Koh Phangan then coordinated with their counterparts on Koh Samui to arrange a safe reunion. On the morning of 11 July, officers accompanied the boy on a ferry to Koh Samui, where he was reunited with his father.

 

The emotional reunion brought Mr Nicolas to tears. He thanked the tourist police for their actions, care and professionalism. Officers responded that the safety and well-being of tourists remains their foremost priority.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-12

 

 

 

This is great news.  Always nice to read of a positive news report.  I hope the family have an enjoyable time and great memories from this adventure.

Begs the question, why did he disembark without being with the family ?

8 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Begs the question, why did he disembark without being with the family ?

Silly thing to say, 13 yrs old, thought it was his stop. Boat left. Easily done. 

At that age I would have really really freaked out.  Nice ending.  

18 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Begs the question, why did he disembark without being with the family ?

 

What exactly are you struggling to understand

 

Quote

During a scheduled stop at Koh Phangan, the boy mistakenly disembarked, believing it was their intended destination. 

 

17 minutes ago, madone said:

 

What exactly are you struggling to understand

 

 

Would have been a good idea to have met up with the father before walking of the ship alone.

4 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Would have been a good idea to have met up with the father before walking of the ship alone.

So what is your point?

52 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Begs the question, why did he disembark without being with the family ?

 

   May have wanted to have a night on his own with the local girls away from his Parents ?

14 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

the boy walking alone along the roadside.

 

14 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

By the time Mr Nicolas realised what had happened, the ferry had already departed.

So he just starts walking away? No attempt at the ferry landing to see what he should do? 

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   May have wanted to have a night on his own with the local girls away from his Parents ?

 

From the OP:  With no money or mobile phone, the boy was provided with cash for food and personal items by police.

 

Shoots that theory right in the ass.

 

5 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

From the OP:  With no money or mobile phone, the boy was provided with cash for food and personal items by police.

 

Shoots that theory right in the ass.

 

 

   He may have intended earning money by working in the bars ?

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

   He may have intended earning money by working in the bars ?

 

That's more of a long term life goal.  "Piano player in a whorehouse" adjacent.

 

10 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Begs the question, why did he disembark without being with the family ?

Were you ever 13? Was it so long ago you forgot all the mistakes you made then? 

14 hours ago, madone said:

So what is your point?

I thought that was obvious.

4 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Were you ever 13? Was it so long ago you forgot all the mistakes you made then? 

I never walked off a ship without my parents no...