Missing in Thailand: Taiwanese woman suspected to be trafficked

A Taiwanese woman’s dream trip to Thailand turned into a nightmare as her father reports a chilling ransom demand for her safe return. Police are now urgently investigating a suspected human trafficking case involving a young woman from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan in her twenties, who vanished after arriving in Thailand on Wednesday, November 6.

The case came to light when a man from the nearby island of Pingtung, identified as Chen, informed police that his daughter, last known to be travelling in Thailand, had gone silent.

Chen told police that he hadn’t heard from his daughter in nearly a week, adding that he received a harrowing message demanding ransom. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office and the foreign ministry were immediately alerted to the case, sparking a joint investigation.

According to reports from CNA, the foreign ministry has since enlisted the help of its representative office in Myanmar, where there has been a surge in Taiwanese victims allegedly lured by fraudulent schemes operating out of Myanmar and Thailand.

In a public statement, the ministry cautioned Taiwanese citizens about the growing risks in the region.

“There have been many suspected cases of Taiwanese being taken by fraud groups from Myanmar after entering Thailand.”

Further unsettling details emerged after the missing woman’s father told LTN that his daughter had been tricked into travelling by a friend who offered to cover her expenses. Police have since confirmed her arrival in Bangkok on November 6 and are investigating witness reports claiming she was forced into a vehicle shortly after landing, reported Taiwan News.

As the search intensifies, officials are reminding Taiwanese citizens to exercise caution and consider potential risks before travelling to Southeast Asia.

In related news, a young Thai man has allegedly been taken hostage by a call centre scam gang, demanding a ransom of 500,000 baht from his family. If the ransom is not paid within one to two days, the teenager’s life may be in danger.