Mystery as British dad, 65, goes missing in Thailand during ‘solo retirement holiday’ as desperate family reveal he sent ‘some strange messages’ before going silent
- David spent a week in Bangkok before traveling to a resort and disappearing
- The family are appealing for anyone with information to contact Police Scotland
A British father has disappeared in Thailand during a solo trip planned to celebrate his retirement.
David Goldthorpe, 65, from Edinburgh, was due to return home on Sunday but never boarded his flight from Phuket to Doha, Thai police confirmed.
Relatives described receiving “a few strange messages and then silence” before David disappeared into calls for information on Facebook.
They say David flew out on April 12 and stayed in a hotel in Bangkok for a week before traveling to a popular holiday resort, before losing contact around 3.30am last Wednesday.
“It is not normal for him not to contact his daughter, Hayley,” daughter-in-law Kate Goldsmith told the Daily Record, urging anyone with information to contact Police Scotland or the British Embassy in Thailand.
David was staying in Phuket, Thailand before disappearing on Wednesday, May 1
“After a few strange messages and then silence, we haven’t heard from our uncle in five days,” another family member wrote on Facebook.
‘He has been on holiday in Thailand but police have confirmed he never flew home. Please share as we are incredibly concerned for him.”
The family has continued to support police efforts to find David, sharing his photo in Thailand-based expat groups.
Kate described her father-in-law as 6 feet tall and 65 years old.
“He’s single and had recently retired, so he just wanted a vacation,” she said.
‘He was booked on a flight to Doha on Sunday morning, but police confirmed that unfortunately he was not on it.’
David was due to catch a connecting flight from Doha to Edinburgh on May 5.
Photos distributed by the family showed a white man with short gray hair.
Police have confirmed that David did not board the flight from Phuket to Doha on May 5
File photo. Patong Beach, the most popular tourist destination in Phuket
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘Officers are investigating following a report of concern about a Scottish man believed to have traveled to Thailand.’
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: ‘We are in contact with the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Thailand.’
MailOnline contacted Police Scotland for further comment.
MailOnline contacted the FCDO for further comment.