Crime
Family of British Girls Abducted in Thailand Make Plea for Information
PATTAYA – The grandparents of two sisters who went missing and are believed to have been abducted while they were in Thailand 72 days ago are pleading for UK holidaymakers to keep their eyes peeled for the girls.
Aleena and Ananya Day, aged 6 and 11, arrived with their father in Pattaya on May 25 and spent several days visiting their 33-year-old mother, Onwarat Gamlem – formerly known as both Wiganda Day and Onwarat Suphikunphong.
The alarm was raised when Mrs Gamlem failed to take the two girls to the airport on June 1 so that they could fly home with their father – and there has been no sign of them since.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Mrs Gamlem on suspicion of abducting her daughters.
“My son, Robert, is still in Thailand searching for them.
“He has made so many inquiries – he’s doing everything he can think of. It’s really very hard.
“His funds have run out so we’re helping to support him. He won’t come home until he’s got them back.”
Both children were born in Thailand but have been raised in the UK since their parents divorced in 2010.
Mr Day was awarded full custody of his daughters and they visit their mother once a year.
In new steps to try to trace them, billboards displaying photographs of Ananya – known as Annie – and Aleena, as well as wanted posters for their mother, have been attached to vehicles now being driven around paraded across the resort of Pattaya with a loudspeaker.
Airlines serving Thai airports have also been alerted to prevent attempts to flee the country.
“The police think that Onwarat’s new husband’s visa will soon run out – he’s from Norway,” Mrs Day said.
“Nobody knows where he is either but there could be warrants for his arrest soon too when his visa runs out.”
She added: “Both girls missed the end of the school term. Annie is starting at Trinity School in September. They’ve assured us her place is secure. We can only hope that she’ll be back by then.
“If anyone has family or friends there or they’re going on holiday to Thailand, please keep raising awareness.
“We all want the girls back home.”
In an online plea for information, the girls’ father said: “They have missed so much – birthdays, end of year outings, the end of primary school party and induction day at senior school.
“Someone out there must know something that will help the police with their inquiries.
“Everyone is working so hard to find them but to date there has been no breakthrough.
“My girls are my world and I miss them both very much.”
See: British Schoolgirls Still Missing in Thailand
What can you do to help? Please share this story and pictures on your social network. Maybe also download and print the missing poster to put up in your local area if you live in Chonburi. The last known position for Onwarat’s cell phone was in Siracha, a seaside town between Bangkok and Pattaya. Her family is believed to have come from Bang Pa In district of Ayutthaya. Do you know the Norwegian Tor Eivind Gamlem? He may have answers that will help the investigation. There is a Facebook Page for the missing girls with more photos. Rober Day can be contacted on 090 773 8900 or by email robdayis@hotmail.com.