Former marathon runner Rob Strik still missing in Thailand
Former marathon runner Rob Strik from Baarn has been missing in Thailand for five weeks now. The family is at their wits' end and son Lars will start a search himself next week, writes AD Amersfoortse Courant.
Son Neals thinks his father may have had an accident at a time when no one was with him. Strik, 65, did not return from a stay in Thailand on September 6.
The road athlete, who achieved success in the 70s and 80s, left for his second home country on his own two months earlier to unwind after private concerns. Strik, who often traveled alone to Thailand, did not predetermine his destination.
According to the family members left behind, Rob is married with two adult sons, and he usually preferred small villages in the non-touristy southeast.
Neals has little hope that his father, who trained him as a professional marathon runner, is still alive: “Chances are that he had an accident when no one was with him. That happens more often and after all he traveled alone”
According to him, his brother Lars is now traveling to Thailand. “Rob is listed as missing, but we do not know if and how the search was carried out. The police do not make any announcements to friends of ours in Thailand. They only do that to family,” Neals says.
Call!
If anyone has seen Rob or knows where he is staying, please contact the police. Rob Strik's description:
- Length: 175 cm
- Hair Color: Dark Blonde
- Eye Color: Blue
- Tattoo on left upper arm: 2.19.56
- Petite stature
- Rob has an artificial knee
- Date of Birth: 14/01/1948
- Current age: 65
Strange that no attention is paid to this disappearance in the media in the Netherlands.
Hundreds of compatriots go on holiday to Thailand every week, who could also look forward to this man.
Hopefully he will be found soon.
That's not right, he's been missing for weeks, every Friday en TV.
Yes, you are right, I was a little too hasty with my response.
Yes, you are right, I was a little too hasty with my response.
I have seen a very similar man in Bangkok, in the Thong Lo area. This a few weeks ago. But the man wore a light beige cowboy hat and had a fairly well-groomed appearance. If it is known to next of kin that the missing person sometimes or always wears this headgear, then there is a very good chance that it concerns the missing person. In that case, he should probably still be alive. For the rest, the personal description is completely consistent with the man I have seen twice in that area.
As I read this story, a few questions come to my mind:
1. Has the missing person been reported to the Ned. police and the Ned. Embassy in Bangkok?
2. Has a declaration been made in Thailand and if so, to which authority? Immigration?
3. The Ned. police or perhaps the Embassy should be able to check with Immigration whether Rob is still in Thailand or has already left the country.
4. Has such a search message appeared in the local press (Phuket Gazette eg) or media (eg Thaisvisa)?
Did a quick Googling: http://www.politie.nl/vermist/vermiste-volwassenen/2013/september/rob-strik.html
Question 1 can be answered with yes.