Dutch TV Personality Emile Ratelband Confirmed to Have Left Thailand in Late 2025
Dutch TV personality Emile Ratelband left Thailand for Laos in late 2025, with immigration records showing no return, as authorities continue a nationwide search at his family's request
Key Points
- 1Thai immigration confirmed Emile Ratelband left for Laos late last year
- 2Natalia da Silva, his companion, departed for a Mideast country on the same day
- 3There are no records of either returning to Thailand
- 4A €2,500 reward is offered by Ratelband’s family for information
- 5Thai authorities have launched a nationwide search at the family's request
Thai immigration authorities have confirmed that Dutch celebrity and politician Emile Ratelband, reported missing by his family, departed Thailand for Laos late last year. Ratelband, 70, and his companion Natalia da Silva first arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport in December 2021, registering their stay in a southern province, according to police reports
Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee of the Immigration Bureau stated, “Mr Ratelband left Thailand via a Thai-Lao friendship bridge to Laos late last year. Ms Natalia departed Thailand the same day by air from Suvarnabhumi airport to a Mideast country.” He added that there is no record of either individual returning to Thailand since their respective departures
Despite these findings, a nationwide search for Ratelband has been ordered by immigration chief Pol Lt Gen Noppasilp Poonsawat, following a request from Ratelband’s relatives in Phuket. The family has offered a €2,500 (approximately 94,000 baht) reward for credible information about his current whereabouts
For the Samui community and other expats in Thailand, this case underscores the diligence of local authorities in monitoring visitor movements and responding to international concerns. OG Lab will continue to follow any developments that may impact expats and travelers in the region
