David Goldthorpe, 65, was due to return home to Edinburgh on Sunday, but was not present on the plane and has not been in contact with his family for several days
A dad has vanished in Thailand after setting out on a solo trip to celebrate his retirement.
David Goldthorpe – who was due to return home to Edinburgh on Sunday, May 5 – was not present on the plane, Thai police confirmed. The 65-year-old had booked to travel from Phuket to Doha in Qatar, before catching a connecting flight home to the Scottish capital.
David began his trip last month on April 12 when he flew out to Thailand, the Daily Record reports. He stayed at a hotel in Bangkok for a week before travelling to a popular holiday resort, but the last time he was in touch with his family was on Wednesday, May 1 at 3.30am.
Police Scotland say they are investigating the disappearance, while the UK Government has confirmed that they are in contact with David’s family. David’s family described his disappearance as “out of character” and said they have been left “worried sick”.
His daughter Hayley has been posting in expat groups on Facebook in a bid to track David down by appealing for help and sharing his photograph. Daughter-in-law Kate Goldthorpe told the Record: “We’re concerned and eager to locate David.
“David is 5’8”, 65 years old, and has been on holiday in Thailand. He is single and had recently retired so just wanted a holiday. He was booked on a flight to Doha on Sunday morning but police confirmed he was unfortunately not on that.
Kate continued: “It is not normal for him to not contact his daughter, Hayley. We are cooperating with Police Scotland to try to locate him. Any information or sightings should be directed to Police Scotland or the British embassy in Thailand.”
Another relative posted on Facebook: “After some odd messages and then silence, we haven’t heard from our uncle for five days. He has been on holiday in Thailand but police confirmed he never made his flight home. Please share as we are incredibly worried about him.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers are making enquiries following a report of concern for a Scottish man who is understood to have travelled to Thailand.” A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are in contact with the family of a British man who has been reported as missing in Thailand.”