Dutch TV host reported missing in Thailand left country in 2025, police say
BANGKOK — Dutch television personality Emile Ratelband, 77, who was reported missing by his family in Thailand, left the country in late 2025 and has not been recorded as returning, Thai immigration police said on Saturday. Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau and its spokesperson, said immigration authorities had ordered […] The post Dutch TV host…
Dutch television presenter Emile Ratelband, aged 77, vanished from Thailand, his family reported him missing in the Southeast Asian nation. The news came to light after his relatives in Phuket reached out to the Thai immigration authorities for information about his whereabouts. Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, announced that all relevant departments have been directed to conduct an investigation following the reports from the Netherlands.
Ratelband and his close companion, Natalia, entered Thailand legally in December 2021 via Suvarnabhumi Airport and held visas, residing in a province in central Thailand. In late 2025, Ratelband crossed the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge into Laos, while Natalia flew to a Middle Eastern country on the same day, both without any recorded reentry into Thailand, according to the Immigration Bureau.
The investigation division of the bureau is currently working to gather more information to assist Ratelband's family in locating him, and to support agencies concerned with the well-being of foreign tourists. Immigration authorities stress the importance of screening foreign nationals, particularly those who could fall prey to scams or pose security risks.
Written by urgent.news from Khaosod English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
