A British teenager, Lawrence Honour, has gone missing from a hotel in Thailand, sparking concerns that he may have been coerced into working at an illicit Chinese mafia operation. Lawrence, known for his computer skills, was last seen leaving his accommodation in Kanchanabur on September 26. Reports suggest he tried to cross into Myanmar but was turned away due to border closure amid conflict.
Authorities and his family fear he could be held captive in one of the call center factories run by Chinese gangs, where workers endure harsh conditions and abuse. Lawrence’s family has made a heartfelt plea to bring him back home, suspecting he may have fallen victim to a scam. Lawrence resides in Thailand with his mother, Gulnara, and his British father, Julian Honour.
Gulnara expressed her distress over Lawrence’s sudden disappearance, mentioning his affinity for computers and expressing concerns that he may have been misled into visiting the fraudulent centers in Myanmar. Local sources indicated seeing him hitchhiking after being turned back at the border, prompting a search effort by authorities.
Police Colonel Santi Phitaksakul of the Sangkhlaburi district station shared that witnesses spotted Lawrence near the Sai Yok Waterfall, seemingly heading towards the border. Immigration officers confirmed he attempted to leave but was prevented due to border closure. Efforts are underway, including collaboration with the military and Myanmar authorities, to trace Lawrence’s whereabouts and determine the circumstances of his journey.
There are speculations that Lawrence might have been influenced by someone to travel, ruling out casual tourism as a motive. Investigations are ongoing to track his movements and explore potential routes he could have taken with assistance from individuals familiar with the border areas.