Deven Naicker was last seen leaving his hotel in Patong, Phuket, at around 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 6. Six days later, his family had received no further contact from him, prompting Thai police to review security footage and check hospitals across the island, The Phuket News reported.
Naicker arrived in Phuket alone and had booked a hotel stay from Nov. 6 to 13. After checking in, he called his daughter to confirm he had arrived safely. It was the last time his family heard from him.
Hotel surveillance footage showed him leaving the building and walking toward a nearby market, but there was no record of him returning.
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Tourists on a beach on Phuket, Thailand. Photo by AFP |
His luggage remained in his room, his phone was unreachable and his location-tracking application had stopped updating, The Tiger reported.
His 35-year-old daughter, Lavanya Naicker, became concerned after failing to contact him from Nov. 7. She questioned why the hotel waited until Nov. 9, three days after his disappearance, to notify police.
Captain Wichayut Damphueak, an investigator with Patong Police, said officers were reviewing security camera footage to track Naicker’s movements. The process was taking time because investigators needed to examine recordings day by day.
Thai Tourist Police joined the investigation on Nov. 10 and inspected his hotel room.
Authorities have also contacted hospitals across Phuket and are coordinating with the South African Embassy.
As of Nov. 12, the investigation had produced no new leads.
Naicker’s family said he has hearing loss and is not proficient with technology. Although he has traveled to many countries, this was his first trip alone.
He had not booked any tours or activities in advance, preferring to explore independently and decide his itinerary along the way. His family therefore has little information about where he might have intended to go.
The family is appealing to anyone who may have seen Naicker after 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 to contact local police.