Urgent appeal for information on missing French man last seen in Surat Thani

[IslandLover]

Moonsterk, on 22 Mar 2016 - 12:14, said:

Basil B, on 22 Mar 2016 - 06:49, said:

Diving to 60m is not exactly recreational diving...

I was wondering what this has to do with him going missing, assuming he did surface after the dive, if he went missing shortly after the dive possibly he could be now in a coma somewhere or even worse.

During his trip he had been unwell with an infection in his leg. He had taken medication for a fever, scuba dived to 60 meters, had lost his appetite and had shown signs of illness and disorientation.

60 meters on an infected leg. Running a fever? This guy is a dive instructor? Should know better. Was he working the trip and so felt he had to dive?

From what is known, probably did succumb to his poor choices, that's the real culprit in many of these island deaths. He may well be in a public hospital where even nurses in his ward might not recognize him from pictures.

From what is known, probably did succumb to his poor choices, that's the real culprit in many of these island deaths.

Victim blaming again?

[kt1969]

He was very ill because of the diving "accident", there is a chance he fell over unconscious unable to communicate, and with no identification papers on him he will end up as a John Doe , all the hospitals in the province should be checked out.

All hospitals aready checked by police and rescue

[DennisF]

He was very ill because of the diving "accident", there is a chance he fell over unconscious unable to communicate, and with no identification papers on him he will end up as a John Doe , all the hospitals in the province should be checked out.

Maybe you should have some reading practice before jumping in with inaccurate speculation, something you accuse many others of.

There was NO DIVING ACCIDENT.

He went diving to a depth of 60m, allegedly, with a leg infection.

What happened when he went to the 7/11 near the death island boat would be speculation until more facts are known.

[shunter]

kt1969 post # 34

All hospitals already checked by police and rescue

Now that comment above in the quote box should give rise to concern. The missing person is not or would not be hard to spot.So has he done a runner for personal reasons, money girlfriend etc? , Let's be fair, there could well be a multitude of reasons for his abrupt departure..

However considering his age and the length of time it appears he has been here that option seem a bit of a long shot,but of course there is the possibility of a ''mid life crisis, the male menopause'' theory.

Or has he been taken for a ''walk'' at the request of others for being perhaps privy to or involved in matters unknown?

The whole manner of his departure leaves much to be considered

As time passes the matter becomes more suspicious,

[Moonsterk]

Moonsterk, on 22 Mar 2016 - 12:14, said:

Basil B, on 22 Mar 2016 - 06:49, said:

Diving to 60m is not exactly recreational diving...

I was wondering what this has to do with him going missing, assuming he did surface after the dive, if he went missing shortly after the dive possibly he could be now in a coma somewhere or even worse.

During his trip he had been unwell with an infection in his leg. He had taken medication for a fever, scuba dived to 60 meters, had lost his appetite and had shown signs of illness and disorientation.

60 meters on an infected leg. Running a fever? This guy is a dive instructor? Should know better. Was he working the trip and so felt he had to dive?

From what is known, probably did succumb to his poor choices, that's the real culprit in many of these island deaths. He may well be in a public hospital where even nurses in his ward might not recognize him from pictures.

From what is known, probably did succumb to his poor choices, that's the real culprit in many of these island deaths.

Victim blaming again?

A smoker, diving to 60 meters on an infected leg, with a fever, and on medication for it all is foolish, especially for a dive instructor who would know better (or should.) So, if he has fallen gravely ill or died because of it, he's hardly a victim but made foolish choices- for whatever reason.

Victim blaming again?

Again? No. I don't blame "victims" but I certainly would not call a smoker, diving to 60 meters on an infected leg, with a fever, and on medication a "victim" should he have suffered from this death- wish type behavior.

Nor will I call victim those who are engaging in foolish, week long drunken binges and illegal drug usage which leads to say,... a fall or drowning, or other method of self- induced, seemingly death-wish behavior.

[Moonsterk]

He was very ill because of the diving "accident", there is a chance he fell over unconscious unable to communicate, and with no identification papers on him he will end up as a John Doe , all the hospitals in the province should be checked out.

All hospitals aready checked by police and rescue

Family members really need to get proactive on this. Police might have checked lists, which are not the most reliable sources of info, misspellings, omitted or erred info, etc., or they might not have really been very thorough at all.

I've gone to a public hospital to find a friend and had his name, and still had to go ward to ward and even then, nurses on the ward he was at didn't know his name. I ended up walking through the wards until I saw him.

[seedy]

Troll / Flaming post - and Quoted Reply - removed

[shunter]

There seems to be a deafening silence from his girlfriend, no information regarding activities habits etc.

Now why might this be? She has no idea at to what who when etc? She is unwilling to speak out for reasons best known to herself. Certainly seems a somewhat strange situation as as far as we know or have been led to believe she has volunteered no information at all nor does she seem concerned by his disappearance.

No comments from his fellow divers he worked with or the dive company he was working for? All rather strange it would seem as if there is a conspiracy of silence as to why this man has disappeared.

As stated family,friend workmates etc should be involved in the search for this man.He was recognized shortly after leaving the ferry but have there been any confirmations that he went to 7-11 or any other place? Seems as if there has been no follow up on the lady who it seems spoke to him or possibly met him, the image in the surveillance camera shot is clear, this is certainly a puzzling matter..

[Nigeone]

Keep on checking these pages hoping for some good news!! Anybody know what his Visa status was?? Hopefully he's just lying in hospital somewhere and they've missed him in there checks

[Sheryl]

He was very ill because of the diving "accident", there is a chance he fell over unconscious unable to communicate, and with no identification papers on him he will end up as a John Doe , all the hospitals in the province should be checked out.

All hospitals aready checked by police and rescue

Family members really need to get proactive on this. Police might have checked lists, which are not the most reliable sources of info, misspellings, omitted or erred info, etc., or they might not have really been very thorough at all.

I've gone to a public hospital to find a friend and had his name, and still had to go ward to ward and even then, nurses on the ward he was at didn't know his name. I ended up walking through the wards until I saw him.

Absolutely agree. Ward to ward search asking about any and all farang patients is the only way to exclude him being in a hospital. Starting with Surat Thani Provincial Hospital.

[Moonsterk]

The conspiracy theorists should note that he'd alledgedly taken a 2hr flight that morning which would surely have triggered any symptoms of DCI long before he reached Surratthani.

Seems the conspiracy theorists are actually chomping at the bit to attach this to other deaths on Koh Tao. How is it a conspiracy to glean from known facts he likely fell ill?

There seems to be a deafening silence from his girlfriend, no information regarding activities habits etc.

Now why might this be? She has no idea at to what who when etc? She is unwilling to speak out for reasons best known to herself. Certainly seems a somewhat strange situation as as far as we know or have been led to believe she has volunteered no information at all nor does she seem concerned by his disappearance.

No comments from his fellow divers he worked with or the dive company he was working for? All rather strange it would seem as if there is a conspiracy of silence as to why this man has disappeared.

As stated family,friend workmates etc should be involved in the search for this man.He was recognized shortly after leaving the ferry but have there been any confirmations that he went to 7-11 or any other place? Seems as if there has been no follow up on the lady who it seems spoke to him or possibly met him, the image in the surveillance camera shot is clear, this is certainly a puzzling matter..

If you'd read the linked article :

Jean-francois Louet in an undated photo. Photo: Courtesy Steven Drylie‎

By Teeranai Charuvastra

Staff Reporter

SURAT THANI — A French national is reportedly missing for a sixth day in the southern province of Surat Thani, local authorities said Monday.

Jean-francois Louet, 46, was to take a ferry from the mainland to Koh Tao with his girlfriend on the night of March 14, but he left the boat to find a convenience store and did not return. His French girlfriend, identified only as “Lea,” hasn’t heard from him since, local police commander Wisut Phupansri said.

Maybe she's not a member of Thai Visa Forum ?

“We are still looking for him,” said Col. Wisut, head of Surat Thani City Police Station. “Witnesses in the area said they saw him waving at the boat from the pier, like he missed the boat. All his bags were on the boat with his girlfriend.”

Steven Drylie, a rescue worker based on Koh Tao, said the last CCTV footage of Louet was when he left the pier for a 7-Eleven store.

________________________________

Seems after the CCTV footage, recording his journey to 7 -11 he went back to the pier.

He may have ended up in the water, or taken another boat to his (presumed?) home on Koh tao. So, I'd also look for him in Koh Tao Hospitals (are there any?) Anyone looked in at his home ? He might have been there the whole time.

[shunter]

Thanks for the link A valid point or two there moonsterk.

So if the girlfriend doesn't read Thai Visa (totally acceptable) why are there no comments from the police who I would presume she has spoken to and they would have spoken to her too,,what actions from say his fellow divers friends neighbours etc?

Witnesses in the area said they saw him waving at the boat from the pier, like he missed the boat. All his bags were on the boat with his girlfriend.”

Surely those witnesses must have seen what ever his next move was and if so why no solid information?

The bold line below would seem to indicate he had gone back to the pier but did he actually go to the 7-11,those stores have video cams running 24/7 so if he entered the store and exited the store with or without making a purchase his movements would have been recorded on the cams. Any evidence as to whether that video footage has been examined to confirm his movement as positive or negative

Seems after the CCTV footage, recording his journey to 7 -11 he went back to the pier.

He may have ended up in the water, or taken another boat to his (presumed?) home on Koh tao. So, I'd also look for him in Koh Tao Hospitals (are there any?) Anyone looked in at his home ? He might have been there the whole time.

If he ended up in the water there would have been witnesses and by now a body if a fatality had occurred. Although of course tidal movements and currents could move a body away some distance rather quickly hence body discovery chances would be slim, the sea is very reluctant to yield up its secrets at times

Surely by now there has been a check on all of the clinics and all of whatever medical facilities exist on Koh Tao so as to determine whether or not he is hospitalised on the island.

Surely his fellow divers as well as the police would have checked his home and no doubt those of his friends too, where does or where did his girlfriend live.

Accident, amnesia attack, new relationship, done a runner, debts etc, suicide, foul play? Got to be one of those options.

Not passing judgement but just exploring options

[Khun Han]

"How is it a conspiracy to glean from known facts he likely fell ill?"

Because it's pure speculation at this point, and no more "likely" than any other speculation, no matter how much you try to dress it up or 'politicise' it.

But the suggestion to trawl hospitals is a decent one, and is as useful as any other line of investigation at this stage.

[webfact]

Frenchman from Koh Tao – DAY 12 MISSING from Surat Thani



SAMUI: -- Today is the 12th day Jean-francois Louet has been missing. Police have continued their inquires but no new French man missing from Koh Taoinformation has come forward.

Jean went missing on the 14th March. He was due to travel back to Koh tao on the boat leaving from Suratthani that same night.

He boarded the boat with his Girlfriend Lea Mezziani but for some reason he left the boat just before its departure.

On lady on the pier had confirmed that he asked for directions to the 7/11, after this,he has not been seen since.

If anybody has any information please contact the police, or any member of the rescue team in Koh Tao or Suratthani. Koh Tao rescue can be reached on – 0921232369

ประชาสัมพันธ์หน่อยค่ะตอนนี้เพื่อนหาย ตั้งแต่วันที่14 ที่ผ่านตอนนี้ยังตามหาไม่เจอ ถ้าเพื่อนคนไหนเห็น ช่วยติดต่อกลับด้วยนะค่ะ 0921232369 ตอนนี้ทางครอบครัวที่ฝั่งเศสเป็นห่วงมากค่ะ ขอบคุนค่ะ

-- Samui Times 2016-03-25

[shunter]

And still no news or sightings, there is it seems far more to this mans disappearance than we know or are being told. .

[steven100]

didn't they find this guy yet ?? seems they aren't telling us all the story ..... was he connected with persons on Koh Tao ??

the longer he's missing ... well unfortunately .... lets hope he surfaces soon ..

[Moonsterk]

Thanks for the link A valid point or two there moonsterk.

So if the girlfriend doesn't read Thai Visa (totally acceptable) why are there no comments from the police who I would presume she has spoken to and they would have spoken to her too,,what actions from say his fellow divers friends neighbours etc?

Surely those witnesses must have seen what ever his next move was and if so why no solid information?

The bold line below would seem to indicate he had gone back to the pier but did he actually go to the 7-11,those stores have video cams running 24/7 so if he entered the store and exited the store with or without making a purchase his movements would have been recorded on the cams. Any evidence as to whether that video footage has been examined to confirm his movement as positive or negative

Seems after the CCTV footage, recording his journey to 7 -11 he went back to the pier.

He may have ended up in the water, or taken another boat to his (presumed?) home on Koh tao. So, I'd also look for him in Koh Tao Hospitals (are there any?) Anyone looked in at his home ? He might have been there the whole time.

If he ended up in the water there would have been witnesses and by now a body if a fatality had occurred. Although of course tidal movements and currents could move a body away some distance rather quickly hence body discovery chances would be slim, the sea is very reluctant to yield up its secrets at times

Surely by now there has been a check on all of the clinics and all of whatever medical facilities exist on Koh Tao so as to determine whether or not he is hospitalised on the island.

Surely his fellow divers as well as the police would have checked his home and no doubt those of his friends too, where does or where did his girlfriend live.

Accident, amnesia attack, new relationship, done a runner, debts etc, suicide, foul play? Got to be one of those options.

Not passing judgement but just exploring options

You forgot picked up by an alien spaceship.

Seriously, the GF may not give a damn and unless someone physically canvasses each hospital ward as suggested, the most logical place for him to be is still in a hospital. Or at his home, seriously ill, or already expired. Sometimes the most obvious things get overlooked.

And use of the term " would have" as in " Witnesses would have seen him.." is always a precursor to assumption. He might wandered to a more secluded area near the water and fell in.

"How is it a conspiracy to glean from known facts he likely fell ill?"

Because it's pure speculation at this point, and no more "likely" than any other speculation, no matter how much you try to dress it up or 'politicise' it.

But the suggestion to trawl hospitals is a decent one, and is as useful as any other line of investigation at this stage.

Politicise? Not following that one, please explain.

So what facts of his last whereabouts can you offer that differ from what I've seen? The facts presented are he was ill, then he was missing.

It's hardly speculation to make a link between the two. Not like say,......he was picked up by a space ship.

no more "likely" than any other speculation,

The known facts are; he was ill and then disappeared. If considering his being ill- and then disappearing as connected is speculation would you consider any other speculation- such as he was picked up by a space ship be considered as more or less likely?

Frenchman from Koh Tao – DAY 12 MISSING from Surat Thani

SAMUI: -- Today is the 12th day Jean-francois Louet has been missing. Police have continued their inquires but no new French man missing from Koh Taoinformation has come forward.

Jean went missing on the 14th March. He was due to travel back to Koh tao on the boat leaving from Suratthani that same night.

He boarded the boat with his Girlfriend Lea Mezziani but for some reason he left the boat just before its departure.

On lady on the pier had confirmed that he asked for directions to the 7/11, after this,he has not been seen since.

If anybody has any information please contact the police, or any member of the rescue team in Koh Tao or Suratthani. Koh Tao rescue can be reached on – 0921232369

ประชาสัมพันธ์หน่อยค่ะตอนนี้เพื่อนหาย ตั้งแต่วันที่14 ที่ผ่านตอนนี้ยังตามหาไม่เจอ ถ้าเพื่อนคนไหนเห็น ช่วยติดต่อกลับด้วยนะค่ะ 0921232369 ตอนนี้ทางครอบครัวที่ฝั่งเศสเป็นห่วงมากค่ะ ขอบคุนค่ะ

-- Samui Times 2016-03-25

Except he's missing from Surat Thani mainland, not Koh Tao island, and according to the source quoted earlier he was "last seen at the pier..." after being recorded on CCTV heading toward the 7- 11.

The Samui News is getting very sloppy lately. Are they part of an agenda to blame every single death and disappearance on Koh tao locals?

[Khun Han]

There is a report that he had an infected leg, I believe. And there is speculation that he may have had some after-effects from diving too deep. In view of the known facts that he'd just got off a two hour flight, and was walking perfectly ok at the time of his disappearance, it's pure speculation that ill health was the cause of his disappearance. Though a sudden health episode can't be ruled out, there is no evidence for it at this stage.

Some posters are so desperate to rule out any other possible reasons for Jean's disappearance, but that doesn't make sense. The correct approach is to explore all avenues and keep an open mind. Why rule anything out at this stage?

[Khun Han]

Are some people part of an agenda to exhonerate Koh Tao from every single death and disappearance of Koh Tao locals?

[Moonsterk]

There is a report that he had an infected leg, I believe. And there is speculation that he may have had some after-effects from diving too deep. In view of the known facts that he'd just got off a two hour flight, and was walking perfectly ok at the time of his disappearance, it's pure speculation that ill health was the cause of his disappearance. Though a sudden health episode can't be ruled out, there is no evidence for it at this stage.

Some posters are so desperate to rule out any other possible reasons for Jean's disappearance, but that doesn't make sense. The correct approach is to explore all avenues and keep an open mind. Why rule anything out at this stage?

Why rule anything out?

You have a point, he may well have been picked up by a alien spaceship.

But how do you know he was walking fine? I've seen no link to video, can you please provide one? And 60 meters is not "too deep," unless you have underlying health issues of course, such as on medication for an infected leg and a fever.

Therefore plenty of evidence exists his health may well have been a factor in his disappearance.

Are some people part of an agenda to exhonerate Koh Tao from every single death and disappearance of Koh Tao locals?

Exonerate the island? As far as I know not one death or disappearance is unsolved of locals or tourists. There have been rumours of this and that, IMO to deflect certain unpleasant truths, but no substantiation of such.

Regardless, he was on Surat Thani mainland, not Koh tao.

[bark]

I sure that his family back in France, will read these posts. So be polite, and show respect. Hope for the best for him.

[Khun Han]

"But how do you know he was walking fine?"

If he was struggling to walk, it's hard to imagine why he would have wandered off on the spur of the moment to look for a 7/11 (that's a bit of sensible speculation by the way).

"Therefore plenty of evidence exists his health may well have been a factor in his disappearance."

There is no evidence whatsoever of the above. It's just the likes of yourself repeating unsubstantiated speculation based on tenuous connection, and repeating it ad-nauseam, with non-seqiteurs about alien abductions and suchlike thrown in, in the hope that the pure speculation will strike a chord.

"Exonerate the island? As far as I know not one death or disappearance is unsolved of locals or tourists. There have been rumours of this and that, IMO to deflect certain unpleasant truths, but no substantiation of such."

I think it's clear where you're coming from with regard to Koh Tao.

By the way, whilst it's my opinion at this stage that a Koh Tao connection to Jean's disappearance is unlikely, only a fool or someone with an agenda would completely rule it out.

[IamNoone88]

Missing in Thailand is like a never ending Aesops fables - the boy who cried wolf. There are so many missing stories that turn out to be your run of the mill idiot "lost in space" or just enjoying the infamous glory of the moment/attention they would otherwise not have and all while lots of genuine people work their networks to locate them. Fact is the "missing" are big enough and old enough to take care of themselves or at least ask for help. Like the boy who cried wolf, I turn a deaf ear to all this now.

[dunroaming]

How does all this speculation help? Spreading the word and highlighting his disappearance would be much more productive.

[Sheryl]

How does all this speculation help? Spreading the word and highlighting his disappearance would be much more productive.

Exactly.

If anyone really wants to be involved, go to Surat Thani hospital and go ward to ward asking to meet any and all farang patients. It is far from clear that this has been done, they may have only checked the list of patients or called the hospital.

That at least would be useful. All this idle speculation is most definitely not.

[balo]

Are some people part of an agenda to exhonerate Koh Tao from every single death and disappearance of Koh Tao locals?

Of course not, do not make it worse than it already is , I am sure the residents in both KT and Surat Thani want this mystery to be solved asap to avoid any further speculations . All you will find in this forum is different theories of what might have happened to him . I really hope his relatives and friends are already in Thailand to assist .

But it doesn't look good now , its been almost 2 weeks.

[fakename]

Yes, 60m is way too deep! The effects of that dive could show up much later, and flying after such a deep dive is crazy. It doesnt look good, probably too late to help him, sorry.

[Khun Han]

Are some people part of an agenda to exhonerate Koh Tao from every single death and disappearance of Koh Tao locals?

Of course not, do not make it worse than it already is , I am sure the residents in both KT and Surat Thani want this mystery to be solved asap to avoid any further speculations . All you will find in this forum is different theories of what might have happened to him . I really hope his relatives and friends are already in Thailand to assist .

But it doesn't look good now , its been almost 2 weeks.

The only thing coming from this forum that is making matters worse in this case is the victim-blaming .

[evadgib]

This has more "nowhere" that the Beatles!

Surely it's time to close?

[Khon Kaen Dave]

This situation is very bizarre.The young man left all his belongings and went off to find a 7/11.He never returned.The idea of him falling in the water is at best worrying.Were there any reports of him being high,or drunk,by his gf?To vanish with no visible means of support would suggest that his mental state was in question.There is also the fact that he may have been snatched. Was he involved in something?Was there something he knew,or had been witness to.But even that rationale would suggest he was a bit more than a happy go lucky,traveler.Its 12 days into this mystery now.A very long time by Thai standards.They managed to find both the youngsters that went missing in Thailand,claiming they were frightened of some one/some thing. I know the family of this poor man will be reading these threads.And i would convey my sympathy to them.I hope they find him soon,but i fear for him.To vanish with no trace would suggest kidnapping.I think the investigating authorities would do well to look in that direction.

My heart goes out to all who knew him.

Bon chance mes Amie's