Thailand
Thai man’s campaign to find his aunt, allegedly kidnapped by North Korea 42 years ago

Persistence.
A Thai man, who believes his aunt was abducted by North Korea several decades ago, says he’s encouraged by Japan’s efforts to track down its citizens also thought to have been kidnapped by the rogue state. Thai PBS World reports that Banchon Panjoi was invited to a meeting in Japan organised by relatives of missing people believed to have been taken by North Korea.
His aunt Anocha Panjoi, who he barely knew, disappeared 42 years ago. Since then, most family members close to her have died, leaving the younger generation trying to find her. Banchon says the meeting in Japan left him feeling encouraged, as he has spent the last 15 years trying to track down his aunt with no success.
Mr. Yoshihidei Suka, secretary-general in the Japanese cabinet, says Japan is fully committed to finding those believed to have been abducted by North Korea, with their official records revealing that 17 Japanese citizens were kidnapped by the country. Unofficial data however shows that up to 100 were taken, with most believed to be still in North Korea.
As well as Japan and Thailand, citizens of several other nations are believed to have been abducted by the country. They include Singapore, Jordan, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, France, China, Romania, Lebanon and South Korea.
The vice secretary-general of the Association of Families of Kidnap Victims, whose own son, Yaeko Takuji, was kidnapped by North Korea 41 years ago, is grateful for Japan’s commitment to solving the mystery. Koijiro Isuka suggests imposing sanctions on North Korea until they release all foreign nationals currently being held in the country.
Meanwhile, family members of American citizens being held in North Korea accuse US officials of not doing enough to help them.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
Get more from The Thaiger
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

-
Guides4 days ago
Monsoon season in Thailand explained
-
Bangkok3 days ago
Everything you need to know about the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS)
-
Best of1 day ago
Beachfront restaurants in Phuket to dine with a view (2022)
-
Best of1 day ago
Italian restaurants in Koh Samui for pasta, pizza, red sauce, and everything else
-
Thailand2 days ago
Thailand introduces fine for not wearing seat belt in the back seat
-
Thailand1 day ago
UPDATE: Thailand introduces fine for not wearing seat belt in the back seat
-
Crime3 days ago
Police raid Chinese porn studio in Chon Buri, 4 arrested
-
North East4 days ago
UPDATE: Sexy Thai model fined 5,000 baht for dancing topless in club