Police search for missing South African man last seen in Patong
Phuket police and Tourist Police are reviewing CCTV and coordinating with hospitals and the South African embassy to locate 65-year-old Devendren Naicker.
A 65-year-old South African man who was last seen leaving a hotel in Patong on Friday, 6 November 2026, has not been located, prompting a search by Phuket police and Tourist Police.
Devendren Naicker, from Yellowwood Park in Durban, checked into the Bel Air Hotel on 6 November for a planned stay until 13 November. He was last seen leaving the hotel at about 6:30pm and has not returned. His luggage remains in his room.
Patong Police received a missing-person report on Monday, 9 November, from a hotel representative. Police Capt Wichayut Damphueak, the investigating officer, said officers were reviewing CCTV footage and coordinating with hospitals across Phuket and the South African embassy.
The CCTV review was taking time because officers were examining recordings day by day from the time Naicker was last seen, Capt Wichayut told The Phuket News.
Tourist Police began investigating after receiving contact from Naicker’s daughter on 10 November. Officers inspected his room, searched for information about his movements and intended plans, and reviewed CCTV footage with Patong Police. They had not located him at the time of the report.
Naicker’s daughter, Lavanya Naicker, 35, told South African media that she had been unable to contact her father since shortly after his arrival in Phuket. She said he called after checking into the hotel, but his phone was later switched off. A tracking application on the phone stopped updating, with the last recorded location at the hotel, according to reports in South Africa’s Sunday Tribune and The Post.
Those reports said hotel CCTV showed Naicker leaving the premises and walking towards nearby markets, with no footage showing him returning. He had travelled alone without a detailed itinerary and planned to arrange sightseeing and activities after arriving in Thailand.
Naicker was described by his daughter as hard of hearing and not particularly comfortable with technology. She appealed to people working in Phuket hotels, restaurants, tour companies and taxi services to come forward with any information.
Information about Naicker’s whereabouts can be sent to Lavanya Naicker at lavanya.naicker@gmail.com.
