Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

A Swiss man with Alzheimer’s disease who had been missing for four days from his home in northeastern Thailand has been found safe around 250 kilometres away, after local residents brought him to a police station in Phetchabun province. The man was discovered on December 29, 2025, wandering in Lom Sak district, appearing confused and unable to communicate, prompting authorities to intervene and provide immediate care.

 

Police in Lom Sak said the man had no identification and was unable to state his name or address when questioned. Officers found only two keys in his possession, one for a Ford vehicle and another for a Honda motorcycle and attempts to communicate with him through an interpreter were unsuccessful due to his apparent memory loss. He was taken into care at Lom Sak Police Station, where police and tourist officers provided food, water and shelter.

 

The man had earlier left his home in Suwannakhuha district, Nong Bua Lamphu province, after riding away on a motorcycle four days before he was found. His family had reported him missing but did not believe he could have travelled such a long distance, particularly as the route involved crossing several mountainous areas. His disappearance raised concern due to his medical condition and limited ability to seek help.

 

According to Pol. Col. Theerasak Sarnapusitsant, superintendent of Lom Sak police, officers worked with local residents and other agencies to identify the man. Appeals for information were shared on social media while police continued efforts to trace his identity. During this period, officers ensured the man was kept safe and comfortable while inquiries continued.

 

A breakthrough came after authorities received information that the man had earlier been seen riding a blue Honda Scoopy i motorcycle with licence plates from Nong Bua Lamphu province. Police traced the registration to a foreign resident in the province and contacted local community leaders, who were able to reach the man’s Thai wife.

 

The wife confirmed that her husband, identified as Ernst, is a Swiss national diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She told police he had ridden away from home four days earlier and that the family had already filed a missing person report. She and other relatives travelled to Lom Sak Police Station later on December 29 to bring him home. Khoasod reported that authorities said the family thanked police officers and residents who helped locate and care for Ernst.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A Swiss man with Alzheimer’s was found safe 250 kilometres from his home after going missing for four days.

• Police and residents in Phetchabun cared for him while tracing his identity through a motorcycle registration.

• His family reunited with him on December 29, 2025 and took him home the same day.

 

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-12-30

 

 

I'm glad the man was found, but if I had someone in my family with Alzheimer's who wandered off and I couldn't find them within an hour, the first thing I would do is report them missing to the police.
Or have I missed something?

 

When he was elderly, my brother-in-law also had Alzheimer's. He was in a facility where all the doors were locked with a code. His first symptoms were that he started putting his shoes in the refrigerator.

GPS tracker  

33 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

I'm glad the man was found, but if I had someone in my family with Alzheimer's who wandered off and I couldn't find them within an hour, the first thing I would do is report them missing to the police.
Or have I missed something?

 

When he was elderly, my brother-in-law also had Alzheimer's. He was in a facility where all the doors were locked with a code. His first symptoms were that he started putting his shoes in the refrigerator.

Many of my  family ended up with dementia.

They were really good at escaping from secure care homes.

14 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Many of my  family ended up with dementia.

They were really good at escaping from secure care homes.

Are you still on the loose?🤣

On 12/30/2025 at 8:57 AM, BritManToo said:

Many of my  family ended up with dementia.

They were really good at escaping from secure care homes.

I knew one that would always wander off to his old local pub.....

I’m glad that he was found safely. But is it really sensible to allow him access to a motorbike and car?

Apart from the obvious danger that he might drive/ride off, it must be questionable whether he can safely drive/ride. Both require at least a certain level of cognitive ability and by the sound of it this poor chap wouldn’t really make it.

On 12/30/2025 at 3:54 AM, Georgealbert said:

His family had reported him missing but did not believe he could have travelled such a long distance, particularly as the route involved crossing several mountainous areas.

Mountainous areas rarely, if ever, pose a hindrance to Swiss motorbike riders.

On 12/30/2025 at 8:31 AM, Peterphuket said:

I'm glad the man was found, but if I had someone in my family with Alzheimer's who wandered off and I couldn't find them within an hour, the first thing I would do is report them missing to the police.
Or have I missed something?

 

When he was elderly, my brother-in-law also had Alzheimer's. He was in a facility where all the doors were locked with a code. His first symptoms were that he started putting his shoes in the refrigerator.

Yes, you are clearly missing something. Read the post again. It is mentiined twice that the family reported him missing to the police. Though not mentioned if it was within your prescribed 60 minutes. The family was concerned for his safety.

On 12/30/2025 at 8:31 AM, Peterphuket said:

His first symptoms were that he started putting his shoes in the refrigerator.

I have had this same symptom for the past month.

I store pots and pans in my refrigerator, and anything from the kitchen I don't need, like extra spoons and dishes.

I should contact a doctor.

On 12/30/2025 at 9:31 AM, Peterphuket said:

I'm glad the man was found, but if I had someone in my family with Alzheimer's who wandered off and I couldn't find them within an hour, the first thing I would do is report them missing to the police.
Or have I missed something?

His wife did. It's mentioned in the OP.

On 12/30/2025 at 4:54 AM, Georgealbert said:

The wife confirmed that her husband, identified as Ernst, is a Swiss national diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She told police he had ridden away from home four days earlier and that the family had already filed a missing person report.

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Mountainous areas rarely, if ever, pose a hindrance to Swiss motorbike riders.

Clever post.👍

Amazing that although his mental deterioration was so severe that he couldn’t even remember his own name, he was still able to handle the vastly more cognitively demanding task of riding a motorbike a substantial distance, and on Thai roads! Bit of an insight into the way the mind works.

1 hour ago, LarryLEB said:

Clever post.👍

Clever is one of my middle names.

"The famous quote about the devil having many names, specifically "My name is Legion, for we are many," comes from the Bible's Gospel of Mark (5:9) and Luke (8:30), describing a demon-possessed man Jesus encountered; "Legion" wasn't just one devil but a multitude (thousands, like Roman soldiers), revealing the sheer number and oppressive power of evil spirits, showing Jesus' authority over them."

We are many.

We are legion.

A particular nightmare of mine is getting lost close to home. The other night I got lost trying to find my friends home, where I had been numerous times. Google maps helps.

What a journey for him to remember!

(er.. or maybe not...!)

4 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Mountainous areas rarely, if ever, pose a hindrance to Swiss motorbike riders.

Well observed! 👍

On 12/30/2025 at 8:44 AM, KhunLA said:

GPS tracker  

Damn good idea.

On 12/30/2025 at 8:31 AM, Peterphuket said:

I'm glad the man was found, but if I had someone in my family with Alzheimer's who wandered off and I couldn't find them within an hour, the first thing I would do is report them missing to the police.
Or have I missed something?

 

When he was elderly, my brother-in-law also had Alzheimer's. He was in a facility where all the doors were locked with a code. His first symptoms were that he started putting his shoes in the refrigerator.

They said they had reported the missing man to the Police, it may have taken four days to trace, locate and collect him. So yeah, you may have missed something.

The Police were struggling to find out where he had come from until the breakthrough with the motorcycle registration.

Update : His nickname was Alps .....

though when asked his name he would look down

and reply "Scoopy "