“His mother lives in Phuket so he may have headed your way,” The Phuket News was told by email yesterday.
Family, friends, police and rescue services have still not been able to establish the whereabouts of Mr Louet, who went missing in Surat Thani on his way back to Koh Tao, reports the Samui Times.
Mr Louet had been diving in Indonesia with his girlfriend. During his trip he had been unwell with an infection in his leg. He had taken medication for a fever, scuba dived to 60 metres, had lost his appetite and had shown signs of illness and disorientation. (See stories here and here.)
When the couple arrived at the pier in Surat Thani on Monday, March 14, to take the night boat back to Koh Tao, Jeff and his girlfriend boarded the boat to rest.
Prior to departure, Mr Louet went out to have a cigarette. When his girlfriend went to check on him he had gone. A local lady said that she saw him, as he had asked for directions to the nearest 7-Eleven.
Nobody has seen or heard from Mr Louet since around 10pm that Monday.
He was seen on CCTV walking away from the pier at 10:17pm wearing a blue T-shirt and red shorts.
Police and rescue workers have been unable to trace him at hospitals and hyperbaric chambers across the country.
Mr Louet left his phone and passport on the boat and it is thought he would be in possession of very little money. He made no calls from his phone prior to his disappearance.
Mr Louet’s friends and relatives are now gravely concerned for his safety and have asked the public to help locate him.
Any persons who have seen Jeff, who is 5 feet 11 inches (180cm) tall, or has any information as to his whereabouts are urged to call Koh Tao Rescue on 092-123 2369 or the local police urgently.
Emails may be sent directly to editor@samuitimes.com