Reporting Someone Missing In Thailand?

[mobiryder]

So my Thai wife's mom who is notoriously flighty (travelling for business with her banker husband etc) has been out of contact for over 8 months. She hasn't even spoken to her mother (wife's grandmom).. Normally the mother-in-law was in contact with us, and her mom at least once every couple of weeks... Her email is bouncing due to overflow, her phone number has been disconnected for so long that its back in service and belongs to someone else (confirmed with AIS).

I suggested we go to the local Bangkok police station to make a report, wife just called 191 and asked what they could do. She says they told her she has to file the report at her mother's village (mom hasnt lived in the village for 30 years) in Surin! Does this sound right to you? I can't imagine why one would have to go all the way to Isaan to report a missing person... Even if the person lived in that village I'd think it odd that I'm forced to go all the way there to report it. But even so, this person hasnt lived there for so long which makes this even more asinine.

There's a chance my wife isn't telling me the full story, hence why she opted to 'call' the police instead of us going down there together where I could ask questions of my own.

Is this standard procedure in Thailand?

Edited July 31, 2008 by mobiryder

[Maizefarmer]

... you said it yourself - something doesn't add up, but for the record missing person should be reported in the first instance to the police staion nearest to their registered address. if that is not where they reside, then also go to the police station nearest to here they reside.

What will the Police do? - nothing much unless there is an indication/evidance that some harm has come to the missing person: it'll become another missing person case - of which thousands thousands get reported each year in Thailand.

[Guest Reimar]

If neither is to contact, the mother and her husband as well, than my the most efficient way is to hire an PI (private investigator) but that cost something.

You can also try to find out her last "trips" from Thailand by contacting relevant Airlines for info.

The official way is in the most countries quite long so here in Thailand.

Cheers.