Missing British Children in Thailand

[Lite Beer]

Missing British Children in Thailand
Posted on August 2, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Please take a moment to either look at this post or listen to the story as 2 months have passed since the two schoolgirls went missing here.

CLick to listen HERE

When Rob Day brought his two daughters, Annie and Aleena, from their home in the sleepy county of Kent in the UK to visit their Thai mother here in Pattaya Thailand, he expected the visit to be over in a few weeks, and for them all to return home with memories of a good time. That was never to be.

Divorced for 4 years, the mother and father had lived in various countries, for over a year the mother had, at one time, cut all contact with the children and, as they settled into their English home, they both attended local schools, enjoying a wonderful extended family lifestyle with their grandparents and aunt and were well known in their home area. Unbeknown to him his former Thai wife, Onwarat Gamlem, had been planning in advance for the visit and been online chatting with several groups who gave her advice on how to kidnap her children and disappear. This despite Thai authorities having granted custody to the father some 4 years ago.

Arriving on British passports, the girls, their father and his current partner met with the Mother and her 3rd child, by Norwegian Fisherman,Tor Gamlem , her Norwegian husband, and the girls were allowed to stay with her for several days as planned.

On the night they were due to be returned the mother called to say that they were running late as they were at the Zoo, dusk turned to dark, a panicking father went to her apartment and, finding it vacated, realised he had been tricked.



By the following morning it became obvious that this was a well planned kidnap ( Under Thai law this was kidnap), the children had IPads, both of which had obviously had the SIM Cards removed, the mother too removed her simcard from her phone, a check of her car registration plates showed them related to a BMW and not the white Toyota she was driving and the police were called for help.

A difficult case to describe to Police, who are used to Mothers having custody, they finally accepted the case and, with a warrant issued for the mother, the search began.

It was at this point that the story filtered onto the chat boards around the city. Rob’s pal, back in the UK, posted details and they were passed by him to Fabulous 103Fm.

After first meeting with Rob we ran the story, ThaiVisa kindly allowed us to cover the story on their forums too, and when there were suggestions that the mother had fled to Phuket, our friends at the Phuket Gazette took up the story to give it full coverage there too. We forwarded it to the Thai media and many covered it too. IN the UK it made the national newspapers.

There were no end of leads . The Mother was originally from Ban Pa In, close to Bangkok, her family were contacted. Phuket Police were updated with the search, and the British Embassy was requested to help, One by one the leads died off.

The British Embassy, despite huge pressure, appears to have done absolutely nothing to help. A call several weeks after the kidnap saw an embassy official telling the father that the official dealing with his file was on vacation, nothing was being done.



Meeting with the aunt and grandparents in the UK, my first impression was of a wonderful loving couple who adored their only grandchildren. Visiting their business it was obvious that customers and staff all knew the children as happy, lively and fun kids, a wall in the office was covered with pictures of the girls growing up, as typical English children, raising yet another question, how would they survive on the run. Children who should be in school, who were used to a western way of life, now living in hiding with a woman they really didn’t know except for the odd skype call.

It was known by then that the woman’s current husband was due to fly in from Norway and it was hoped that he might be apprehended on arrival and persuaded to help. There was no indication at the time that he knew the depths to which his wife had gone to evade the authorities, but one thing is for certain, he was quick to join her and managed to pass through arrivals on a short term visa without being recognized.

The father, Rob Day, meanwhile made his own investigations and, with the help of local authorities, a check was run on the mother’s SIM Card. It appeared to be inactive for a long time and then, a week after their disappearance; a single ping was collected from a phone tower in Sri Ratcha, the neighbouring town to Pattaya.

That was enough for Rob to borrow a truck and travel to the area every day for weeks on end. Tirelessly he mapped out a radius from the mast and drawing a circle on a map he visited each and every housing area, shop and mall, chatting with security guards, and leaving posters that he had made up, laminated and printed in both English and Thai. He hired trucks with huge 4 metre signs on the back which drove around the area. The search was relentless and designed to make sure that a neighbor, a family member or the children themselves would see that the search was on.



A reward of 100,000 baht ( two thousand pounds) was offered to anyone who could help.

It could only go one of two ways, the woman would either be caught, or they would flee deeper into Thailand and become harder to find.

Enlisting the support of Sri Ratcha Police, Rob Day’s search went on for weeks, 7 more weeks in fact. One of the children had a birthday, on that day he was in tears. A huge man, unable to talk without breaking down, a man who’s love for his children was unquestionable.

With the internet awash with the story of the missing children , the amount of support, advice and tips he received from fellow westerners was incredible. Each suggestion was mulled over, many ideas incorporated in the search. One night, when we met up, it was obvious that he was reaching exhaustion point, but he refused to take a single day out from the search to relax, afraid that he might miss the one clue that would lead to his recovering his children



Finally, on 23rd of July, some 7 weeks after their disappearance he got the call he had been praying for.

Local police in Pattaya, where the search had started have received a call from the mother or her direct family . She offered to return the children IF she was promised immunity from prosecution.

Initially the children were expected to be handed over two weeks ago, that changed to last weekend.

A Week later and the children have not been recovered. The mother’s family is trying to negotiate with the police for their return in exchange for the father to drop all charges against her, he as agreed to that. The so called negotiations are between the police and the mother’s family and still no real evidence has been shown that the mother has any intention of returning the children.

With Thai media now covering the story, and interest from British media growing daily, Rob Day having exhausted his own funds and now relying on help from home and the mother abusing the legal system here, its hoped that intervention from the higher authorities in the country will be forthcoming and see the girls reunited with their family.

Source: http://pattaya103.com/missing-british-children-thailand-2/

--Pattaya 103 FM 2014-08-02

[trainman34014]

What can be said about this cheating cow of a Mother that hasn't already been said ? In my opinion the Police should arrest and hold the entire woman's family until she appears to hand over the children, because if they don't the bitch will be playing 'catch me if you can' until someone offers her a huge amount of money. That's what this really is; an indirect ransom case.

[canopus1969]

The British Embassy, despite huge pressure, appears to have done absolutely nothing to help. A call several weeks after the kidnap saw an embassy official telling the father that the official dealing with his file was on vacation, nothing was being done.

Why did we not sell all the land the Brit Embassy is on and send the whole bunch back home - they are nothing but a disgrace and a total wast of taxpayers money.

[smutcakes]

The British Embassy doing nothing to help, well thats a surprise. When they are only open about 1 hour a day they don't have time to do much.

[evadgib]

The British Embassy, despite huge pressure, appears to have done absolutely nothing to help. A call several weeks after the kidnap saw an embassy official telling the father that the official dealing with his file was on vacation, nothing was being done.

The "Embassy ain't doing nuffink" rolls off the tongue a little too easily in these threads. I suspect the truth differs significantly within the parameters explained here:

International child abduction (particularly pages 4 to 6)

Report or prevent international parental child abduction

http://www.fnf.org.uk/

If I were in this mans shoes my angle would be to try via the new husband.

Edited August 2, 2014 by evadgib

[NongKhaiKid]

What can be said about this cheating cow of a Mother that hasn't already been said ? In my opinion the Police should arrest and hold the entire woman's family until she appears to hand over the children, because if they don't the bitch will be playing 'catch me if you can' until someone offers her a huge amount of money. That's what this really is; an indirect ransom case.

I fear you may be correct and wonder if the mother really wants the girls or sees them as a means to a financial end or at the very least a club to beat her ex-husband with.

[AGareth2]

hope they are safe

[jacky54]

This is clearly kidnapping with attempts to blackmail, arrest and charge the family with a promise to drop charges when the kids are returned, see how they like it.

[UbonRatch]

I guess from here the best we can all do is be vigilant, visually check every child we pass, and pray that somebody somewhere spots them.

Rob, don't give up - they'll be found eventually.

[chooka]

Put a flag on the Norwegian husband. I am sure he has to report every 90 days and notify immigration of his change of address. If he is coming and going from Thailand due to work commitments then surely he would know where his wife and child are staying.

He has to ask himself how he would feel if his wife kidnaped his child and she was being assisted by another man.

[givenall]

Missing British Children in Thailand

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Please take a moment to either look at this post or listen to the story as 2 months have passed since the two schoolgirls went missing here.

CLick to listen HERE

When Rob Day brought his two daughters, Annie and Aleena, from their home in the sleepy county of Kent in the UK to visit their Thai mother here in Pattaya Thailand, he expected the visit to be over in a few weeks, and for them all to return home with memories of a good time. That was never to be.

Divorced for 4 years, the mother and father had lived in various countries, for over a year the mother had, at one time, cut all contact with the children and, as they settled into their English home, they both attended local schools, enjoying a wonderful extended family lifestyle with their grandparents and aunt and were well known in their home area. Unbeknown to him his former Thai wife, Onwarat Gamlem, had been planning in advance for the visit and been online chatting with several groups who gave her advice on how to kidnap her children and disappear. This despite Thai authorities having granted custody to the father some 4 years ago.

Arriving on British passports, the girls, their father and his current partner met with the Mother and her 3rd child, by Norwegian Fisherman,Tor Gamlem , her Norwegian husband, and the girls were allowed to stay with her for several days as planned.

On the night they were due to be returned the mother called to say that they were running late as they were at the Zoo, dusk turned to dark, a panicking father went to her apartment and, finding it vacated, realised he had been tricked.

By the following morning it became obvious that this was a well planned kidnap ( Under Thai law this was kidnap), the children had IPads, both of which had obviously had the SIM Cards removed, the mother too removed her simcard from her phone, a check of her car registration plates showed them related to a BMW and not the white Toyota she was driving and the police were called for help.

A difficult case to describe to Police, who are used to Mothers having custody, they finally accepted the case and, with a warrant issued for the mother, the search began.

It was at this point that the story filtered onto the chat boards around the city. Rob’s pal, back in the UK, posted details and they were passed by him to Fabulous 103Fm.

After first meeting with Rob we ran the story, ThaiVisa kindly allowed us to cover the story on their forums too, and when there were suggestions that the mother had fled to Phuket, our friends at the Phuket Gazette took up the story to give it full coverage there too. We forwarded it to the Thai media and many covered it too. IN the UK it made the national newspapers.

There were no end of leads . The Mother was originally from Ban Pa In, close to Bangkok, her family were contacted. Phuket Police were updated with the search, and the British Embassy was requested to help, One by one the leads died off.

The British Embassy, despite huge pressure, appears to have done absolutely nothing to help. A call several weeks after the kidnap saw an embassy official telling the father that the official dealing with his file was on vacation, nothing was being done.

Meeting with the aunt and grandparents in the UK, my first impression was of a wonderful loving couple who adored their only grandchildren. Visiting their business it was obvious that customers and staff all knew the children as happy, lively and fun kids, a wall in the office was covered with pictures of the girls growing up, as typical English children, raising yet another question, how would they survive on the run. Children who should be in school, who were used to a western way of life, now living in hiding with a woman they really didn’t know except for the odd skype call.

It was known by then that the woman’s current husband was due to fly in from Norway and it was hoped that he might be apprehended on arrival and persuaded to help. There was no indication at the time that he knew the depths to which his wife had gone to evade the authorities, but one thing is for certain, he was quick to join her and managed to pass through arrivals on a short term visa without being recognized.

The father, Rob Day, meanwhile made his own investigations and, with the help of local authorities, a check was run on the mother’s SIM Card. It appeared to be inactive for a long time and then, a week after their disappearance; a single ping was collected from a phone tower in Sri Ratcha, the neighbouring town to Pattaya.

That was enough for Rob to borrow a truck and travel to the area every day for weeks on end. Tirelessly he mapped out a radius from the mast and drawing a circle on a map he visited each and every housing area, shop and mall, chatting with security guards, and leaving posters that he had made up, laminated and printed in both English and Thai. He hired trucks with huge 4 metre signs on the back which drove around the area. The search was relentless and designed to make sure that a neighbor, a family member or the children themselves would see that the search was on.

A reward of 100,000 baht ( two thousand pounds) was offered to anyone who could help.

It could only go one of two ways, the woman would either be caught, or they would flee deeper into Thailand and become harder to find.

Enlisting the support of Sri Ratcha Police, Rob Day’s search went on for weeks, 7 more weeks in fact. One of the children had a birthday, on that day he was in tears. A huge man, unable to talk without breaking down, a man who’s love for his children was unquestionable.

With the internet awash with the story of the missing children , the amount of support, advice and tips he received from fellow westerners was incredible. Each suggestion was mulled over, many ideas incorporated in the search. One night, when we met up, it was obvious that he was reaching exhaustion point, but he refused to take a single day out from the search to relax, afraid that he might miss the one clue that would lead to his recovering his children

Finally, on 23rd of July, some 7 weeks after their disappearance he got the call he had been praying for.

Local police in Pattaya, where the search had started have received a call from the mother or her direct family . She offered to return the children IF she was promised immunity from prosecution.

Initially the children were expected to be handed over two weeks ago, that changed to last weekend.

A Week later and the children have not been recovered. The mother’s family is trying to negotiate with the police for their return in exchange for the father to drop all charges against her, he as agreed to that. The so called negotiations are between the police and the mother’s family and still no real evidence has been shown that the mother has any intention of returning the children.

With Thai media now covering the story, and interest from British media growing daily, Rob Day having exhausted his own funds and now relying on help from home and the mother abusing the legal system here, its hoped that intervention from the higher authorities in the country will be forthcoming and see the girls reunited with their family.

Source: http://pattaya103.com/missing-british-children-thailand-2/

--Pattaya 103 FM 2014-08-02

Good lesson for all of us with children. Never trust ex wife or girlike friends with children. They don't for love. Revenge or money is the only reason. All of her family are also involved in the plans

Sent from my C1904 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NongKhaiKid]

Put a flag on the Norwegian husband. I am sure he has to report every 90 days and notify immigration of his change of address. If he is coming and going from Thailand due to work commitments then surely he would know where his wife and child are staying.

He has to ask himself how he would feel if his wife kidnaped his child and she was being assisted by another man.

In some jurisdictions he would find himself in trouble if he knows what's happening but what chance the girls are kept by the mother's relatives and he's being conned too when he's here ?

[metisdead]

A post containing overly derogatory references toward the police has been removed as well as a reply.

[Basil B]

Local police in Pattaya, where the search had started have received a call from the mother or her direct family . She offered to return the children IF she was promised immunity from prosecution.

As I see it there are other family members "Aiding and Abetting" this crime, may be they should be offered immunity for turning her in.

[PattayaPhom]

This brought tears to my eyes. Lets hope for a quik return of the girls and those of us in Patters be extra vigilant.

[noitom]

The failure to arrest this woman on kidnapping charges is totally appalling and makes a mockery out of Thai follow up. The military dictatorship should step in and show the police how to do it by arresting the mother immediately and returning the girls to their lawful father.

[givenall]

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Local police in Pattaya, where the search had started have received a call from the mother or her direct family . She offered to return the children IF she was promised immunity from prosecution.

As I see it there are other family members "Aiding and Abetting" this crime, may be they should be offered immunity for turning her in.

I would offer anthing to get the kids back and make sure they are safe. AND then some one will visit all involve and............

Edited August 2, 2014 by givenall

[geronimo]

am surprised that the mother's family didn't shop her for the 100k.

[Sydebolle]

Steamroller the story back in the UK; get your Foreign Office involved which might want to tackle the matter with the Thai Excellency at the Queen's Gate in London; he can be reached at 0207 589 2944 - just in case the Foreign Office does not have the phone number handy

[timmyp]

That story was unnecessarily long (did we need the play by play of his search?), but more importantly I hope the authorities take this seriously, and that he finds his kids. Mom is evil, and her new husband as well...

Incidentally, in Japan, there are several cases of the same thing happening (Japanese and foreign national having a child, and the Japanese parent kidnapping the child), but in Japan, it is not considered a kidnapping, and the authorities side with the native-Japanese parent. At least the law is in this guys favor, although the law in Thailand isn't necessarily followed...

[AhFarangJa]

Nice post sgtsabai,

I cannot do anything for the father from where I am except to hope he finds his family safe and sound, Thankfully I have never been in his, nor your situation, and I cannot begin to imagine what he must be going through. One thing I do know is that negative Thai g.f.,comments, pattaya bashing, or slagging off police actions certainly will not help him.

[greenchair]

Offer the family the 200;000 and immunity. Those girls will be back in your arms in hours. just give them the money, but getting it delivered and girls back is tricky.if you can convince them the money assured say with a signed lawyers letter delivered to family by police. I think it could work. Maybe even just information from family of girls whereabouts and promise of money if girls found. Someone in that family will speak up sure. Tit.

[Baerboxer]

Put a flag on the Norwegian husband. I am sure he has to report every 90 days and notify immigration of his change of address. If he is coming and going from Thailand due to work commitments then surely he would know where his wife and child are staying.

He has to ask himself how he would feel if his wife kidnaped his child and she was being assisted by another man.

Yes - Immigration police should be watching for this guy. All border crossings. His employers should also be informed he's wanted for questioning as he may have vital information on a child kidnapping.

It really looks like this bitch is just out for some extortion, aided and abetted by her family. Hopefully, they've picked the wrong time to do this with the newly energized RTP.

The poor girls - what an impression of their mother they will have? Hope they get returned and back to their father safely very soon before she tires of them if her only interest is indeed cash.

This might serve as a wake up for the Norwegian too.

The British authorities appear inept as usual.

[UbonRatch]

There really is no point in speculating, as nobody really knows where the Norwegian is himself, and nor where the girls are for that matter.

The Norwegian could be in on this too.. the girls could be in Norway with both; Who knows? The call could have come from abroad, as both girls have valid British passports, and it seems the police can't locate any member of so called family nor mother, or they have and nobody is 'dissing'.

You see? Speculation gets nobody anywhere! Interpol needs to step in, and very quickly - or Rob needs to get their passports cancelled so they can't be easily taken away, if they have not already been........ more speculation...... it gets ridiculous the more one speculates.

Can't we simply hope they are returned to their rightful place of home and to father, safely, instead of guess work and speculation?

Guess work and theories don't help in a matter such as this, and neither does discarding the mother of whom we have little information. Calling her for all sorts is only going to exacerbate matters of concern on her part. Agreements have been made for the childrens' return - let's hope it keels out on a level and, as said earlier, let all in Pattaya or surrounding areas, or indeed anywhere, let us all keep vigilant. It's not difficult to spot such young girls, with their lighter skin and smiles.

[snowgard]

Offer the family the 200;000 and immunity. .

I don't believe this because the most Thai familys hold Close together!!!

But I would involved a good lawyer and sue the hole family and the norwegian boyfriend about "Conspiracy for Kidnapping"!!!

If the Police play with, they can lock the involved family members!!! This make they nervous and same mistakes will follow.

And it give a lot of other things what can be done:

1. Following the money and check the bank accounts from the ex wife, boyfriend and the other Family members. Maybe the police can find bank information from EX and a ATM Slip from the boyfriend in the appartement.Then it is easy to check where she and HIM used ATM's.

2. Check all phone numbers from the involved People and follow the calls.

I am sure in just some days they catch they.

And if the police don't work right, try to involve the Military!!!

Edited August 2, 2014 by snowgard

[Dobler]

I was having diner at the seafood restaurant in Jomtien- Thepprasit road and noticed a girl very similar to this. The only reason I remember this is that she looked like an expat but was sitting with a Thai family. No other expats.

[UbonRatch]

I was having diner at the seafood restaurant in Jomtien- Thepprasit road and noticed a girl very similar to this. The only reason I remember this is that she looked like an expat but was sitting with a Thai family. No other expats.

So report it.... no point in wasting time, even if a checkout is wrong. Check is check..... find is find.....

[ukguyinthai]

She wants the money. She wants lots of money.Until she is sure just how much money this situation is worth ,no kids will be found.He really has shown his dedication and effort ( he should have done things a little more quiet in my mind) .she thinks desire equals a big pay out. She knows her family can WORK with the police nice and steady to raise that money pile because historically everyone shares the scam. There is no rush,screw him,pile on the pressure.Whats next donations for the ransom?.....When she really believes she has got maximum money ,and knows she can walk away without penalty,she will pay the staff ( family middlemen, official negotiators )hand the kids over and walk away laughing.She probably loves the kids as much as him,Thai women can leave their kids somewhere safe to go work,This situation is about money and a little brain washing to remind the kids they still have a REAL mother.The western guy will win in the end.But when the mother needs support later it will be easier to get it from them kids.She is strong ,she is going to take advantage of the situation and give him a good slapping in the process. She is not evil ,its just everything is stacked against her,My guess is those kids are very safe,she just wants some time with them,she is a realist,she just wants some time and a payout to match. .

[kingstonkid]

Hey better way to handle this would be to send notification to the Norwegian Press. I am sure that the last thing this twit wants is his family to know what kind of an A$$ he is.

Also if he is doing the 30 day route he might be working on a rig. Let the companies know what kind of a prat they have. I am sure his mates would love to help sort him out.

Personally if it was me i would swear out a warrant for him for kidnapping, aiding and abetting, child molestation, sex with a minor. just keep it going. When he tries to leave the country with al the charges he will love the jails here and i bet he talks.

[chongtak]

Offer the family the 200;000 and immunity. .

I don't believe this because the most Thai familys hold Close together!!!

But I would involved a good lawyer and sue the hole family and the norwegian boyfriend about "Conspiracy for Kidnapping"!!!

If the Police play with, they can lock the involved family members!!! This make they nervous and same mistakes will follow.

And it give a lot of other things what can be done:

1. Following the money and check the bank accounts from the ex wife, boyfriend and the other Family members. Maybe the police can find bank information from EX and a ATM Slip from the boyfriend in the appartement.Then it is easy to check where she and HIM used ATM's.

2. Check all phone numbers from the involved People and follow the calls.

I am sure in just some days they catch they.

And if the police don't work right, try to involve the Military!!!

That made me laugh.

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