Mark Counsell. Picture courtesy of Daily Mail

A British holidaymaker, Mark Counsell, has gone missing in Southeast Asia after last speaking to his family on Christmas Day. The 31-year-old from Pontypool, Gwent, was reported to be in excellent spirits during a video call between 9am and 10am but has not been heard from since. In response to Mark's disappearance and the lack of further contact, Gwent Police have launched a public appeal for information.

Mark's last known location is believed to have been in Thailand, though authorities think he may have continued travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His whereabouts following Christmas Day remain uncertain, and attempts to contact him via phone and online have failed. Concern for his safety is high, with police working diligently to uncover more details.

Gwent Police described Mark as a white male, standing 5 ft 9 in (175.26 cm) tall with an average build. He has short brown hair, faded sides, and a notable brown-and-ginger beard, longer at the chin. He was last seen wearing a khaki Fred Perry T-shirt, and his family emphasises that the trip was a cherished dream for him.

A police spokesperson noted that Mark’s disappearance is distressing for his family, given the optimistic nature of his journey. With each passing day since Christmas without communication, anxiety for his wellbeing grows stronger. Officials urge anyone with pertinent information to contact the authorities urgently, reported the Daily Mail, UK.

Key Takeaways:

• Mark Counsell went missing in Southeast Asia after a Christmas call.

• Last known in Thailand; may have travelled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• Gwent Police lead the search and appeal for public assistance.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Mail 2026-01-07

 

 

British Man Vanishes in Thailand After Christmas Day Video Call

Picture: Gwent Police

Authorities in Thailand have launched a significant search operation for a British tourist, Mark Counsell, who mysteriously disappeared after a Christmas Day FaceTime call with his family. The 31-year-old from Pontypool, South Wales, was travelling throughout Southeast Asia and was last seen by his loved ones during a video call on 25 December.

Following the call, Mark's family reported him missing, suspecting he might have disappeared in either Thailand or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The unexpected silence following the call has left police uncertain of his whereabouts, leading to widespread appeals for assistance in locating him.

Described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall with an average build, Mark has distinctive short brown hair with faded sides and a short brown/ginger beard. On the day of his disappearance, he was wearing a khaki-coloured Fred Perry T-shirt, a detail that could help identify him.

Gwent Police are spearheading the search effort and have urged anyone with information about Mark's whereabouts to come forward. Call 101 or send a direct message via social media, quoting log reference 2600001644, to reach out to the police. The authorities have also made a direct appeal to Mark to reach out if possible.

The search has drawn significant attention, with both local and international communities on alert. Mark’s friends and family are hopeful for his safe return, emphasising the urgent need for public cooperation in this cross-border investigation.

The case illustrates the difficulties associated with missing persons investigations abroad, as law enforcement agencies navigate varying jurisdictions and languages. Continuous updates from the police aim to keep the public informed and engaged in the ongoing effort to find Mark, reported GB News.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from GB News 2026-01-07

 

 

Lets hope Mark is located soon and in good health.

Into thin air.....

Nobody just vanishes.

Christmas, for many, is a very difficult time.

So much emotion.

Christmas music can be very depressing, for example.

If he exited the country as mentioned as possibility then his pp data would show that.

Can they not, like, pull up like, his exit stamp, like, at immigration.

35 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

Can they not, like, pull up like, his exit stamp, like, at immigration.

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Mark's last known location is believed to have been in Thailand, though authorities think he may have continued travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I think that should be quite easy to narrow down somewhat.

52 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

Can they not, like, pull up like, his exit stamp, like, at immigration.

Yes they can. All the entries and exits are logged to the database, unless he somehow snuck across the boarder which is doubtful. They never seem to provide that detail in the articles

14 hours ago, webfact said:

, he was wearing a khaki-coloured Fred Perry T-shirt, a detail that could help identify him.

He may have changed his clothes by now..............

At the very least, the hotel or place he was staying should have reported he was staying. So they should have a starting point to try and track him down.

I go and check around for him on Soi 6 this afternoon.

2 hours ago, freedomnow said:

Can they not, like, pull up like, his exit stamp, like, at immigration.

You missed a few more 'likes' out.

2 hours ago, freedomnow said:

Can they not, like, pull up like, his exit stamp, like, at immigration.

I imagine they have the technology. But doesn't he have privacy rights, even if it's his family that's looking for him?

Here we go again there has been a few Brits who have gone missing while on holiday in Thailand

Missed phone calls ect home

Let's hope he is okay and is located safe and sound probably in a

other country 🤔

15 hours ago, webfact said:

he was wearing a khaki-coloured Fred Perry T-shirt, a detail that could help identify him.

How do they know what tshirt he was wearing?

Video calls usually frame from the shoulders up.

8 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

How do they know what tshirt he was wearing?

Video calls usually frame from the shoulders up.

...unless the frame is moved, as they usually are.

3 hours ago, Dan O said:

If he exited the country as mentioned as possibility then his pp data would show that.

3 hours ago, freedomnow said:

Can they not, like, pull up like, his exit stamp, like, at immigration.

2 hours ago, Briggsy said:

I think that should be quite easy to narrow down somewhat.

2 hours ago, Dan O said:

Yes they can. All the entries and exits are logged to the database, unless he somehow snuck across the boarder which is doubtful. They never seem to provide that detail in the articles

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

At the very least, the hotel or place he was staying should have reported he was staying. So they should have a starting point to try and track him down.

Only if he has been reported as missing to the Thai authorities of which there has been no mention.

he will show up in a few days, probably in a hotel with ploy

37 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Only if he has been reported as missing to the Thai authorities of which there has been no mention.

The article mentioned "authorities" believe he may have left the country. Again the article doesnt specify who the authorities are, but my statement still stands. If he left the PP database would show that. Notifying the officials is part of the process

when i traveled round the world i was away for three years in the mid 90s, i relied on postcards (10 days) and occasional phone calls from international phones in post offices when available. i could be out of contact for weeks, no one got stressed, went to the police, went to the media. people need to calm down, basically, if something bad has happened you'll find out pretty quickly.

6 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Into thin air.....

Nobody just vanishes.

Christmas, for many, is a very difficult time.

So much emotion.

Christmas music can be very depressing, for example.

You are correct sir. I have bipolar disorder, and also have no family save a brother in New Hampshire USA. Every year I struggle to win the battle against holiday depression, and I usually prevail by making sure I plan my travels and social interactions carefully and in advance. Being a musician I can turn the Christmas Music into a nostalgic remembrance of my Childhood, my favorite is Joy To The World. I hope you and everyone here had a nice holiday and I wish all you geezers and happy and prosperous new year.

35 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

You are correct sir. I have bipolar disorder, and also have no family save a brother in New Hampshire USA. Every year I struggle to win the battle against holiday depression, and I usually prevail by making sure I plan my travels and social interactions carefully and in advance. Being a musician I can turn the Christmas Music into a nostalgic remembrance of my Childhood, my favorite is Joy To The World. I hope you and everyone here had a nice holiday and I wish all you geezers and happy and prosperous new year.

Holidays are difficult for almost everyone.

This is why they call them holidays.

6 hours ago, freedomnow said:

Can they not, like, pull up like, his exit stamp, like, at immigration.

Do you mean have some official actually work

8 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Into thin air.....

Nobody just vanishes.

Christmas, for many, is a very difficult time.

So much emotion.

Christmas music can be very depressing, for example.

Christmas is a time of terror for those who live with family violence, children especially. People who can successfully avoid themselves during the year are forced to spend time together at Christmas and usually while drinking too much. Domestic violence events surge.

8 minutes ago, BusyB said:

Christmas is a time of terror for those who live with family violence, children especially. People who can successfully avoid themselves during the year are forced to spend time together at Christmas and usually while drinking too much. Domestic violence events surge.

Yes. And, Christmas holiday is a time of unreasonable expectations, which inevitably leads to increased dysfunction.

Also, Christmas holiday, in itself, is a time of unreasonable expectations, such as when Santa fails to fall from the chimney. Or, when the Star of Bethlehem refuses to reappear.

3 hours ago, it is what it is said:

when i traveled round the world i was away for three years in the mid 90s, i relied on postcards (10 days) and occasional phone calls from international phones in post offices when available. i could be out of contact for weeks, no one got stressed, went to the police, went to the media. people need to calm down, basically, if something bad has happened you'll find out pretty quickly.

Yes. But those were the days before TV.

2 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Yes. And, Christmas holiday is a time of unreasonable expectations, which inevitably leads to increased dysfunction.

Also, Christmas holiday, in itself, is a time of unreasonable expectations, such as when Santa fails to fall from the chimney. Or, when the Star of Bethlehem refuses to reappear.

You mean Santa's not real? And they're still lying to me?

Just wait till President Trump hears about that!

3 hours ago, it is what it is said:

when i traveled round the world i was away for three years in the mid 90s, i relied on postcards (10 days) and occasional phone calls from international phones in post offices when available. i could be out of contact for weeks, no one got stressed, went to the police, went to the media. people need to calm down, basically, if something bad has happened you'll find out pretty quickly.

... Just a bit daft... Times have changed, ease of communication and communication habits have changed significantly.

When I first came out here in my 20's - my folks didn't have e-mail.

I bought a fax-machine in the UK that printed out my e-mails automatically for my folks to receive - I'd send an e-mail every couple of weeks or months, I'd write letters - call occasionally.

These days - if my folks didn't hear from me for over a week they would be concerned as that would be uncharacteristic.

You are suggesting his family shouldn't worry just ignore the uncharacteristic silence - you seem to lack the empathy and critical thought to place yourself in the position of his loved ones.

45 minutes ago, BusyB said:

You mean Santa's not real?

I never said that.

Please do not misconstrue.