Ex-Police Officer Robbed in Georgia Seeks to Aid Missing Thai Tourist
A retired Thai civil servant robbed at knifepoint in Georgia shares his harrowing experience to help find missing tourist Hulun Solo, warning solo backpackers of safety risks and recommending coordination with Thai networks abroad.
On July 29, 2569, Chatchawal Kaylim, owner of V10 Garage and a well-known automotive influencer also known as "Big V10", presented Pornchai Sanafee, a retired civil servant from the Ministry of Industry and his close brother, who was robbed at knifepoint while solo backpacking in Georgia. Pornchai shared his experience as a cautionary tale and to potentially aid the search for missing tourist Hulun Solo.
Pornchai revealed that in 2565, he traveled alone starting from Turkey before flying to Georgia. On his first day, he was attacked by a criminal wielding a knife who attempted to rob him. During the struggle, the criminal fled with his mobile phone and camera. Unexpectedly, during the confrontation, Pornchai ended up with the criminal's phone. When he reported the incident to police and handed over the phone as evidence, officers arrested the perpetrator the next day. However, they could not recover his stolen belongings as the criminal refused to disclose their location, forcing Pornchai to accept the loss.
Pornchai noted that despite Georgia's reputation as a safe country, he encountered many impoverished people during his stay. Tourists who are careless risk becoming crime victims. After the incident, he faced further complications in the legal process. Police court dates conflicted with his travel plans, causing him to miss his flight. He was then placed on a travel ban despite being the victim, not the accused, forcing him to remain in Georgia for nearly a month while bearing all accommodation and living expenses.
Georgia has no Thai embassy, so Pornchai had to coordinate through the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, which submitted documentation to Georgian authorities confirming his victim status and requesting removal of the travel ban. He received crucial assistance from Thai networks in Georgia, including restaurant owners, massage shop operators, and business people who helped coordinate with local authorities. With help from people in Thailand who contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgian authorities eventually lifted the ban, allowing him to return safely.
Pornchai stated that Hulun Solo's disappearance requires close coordination between Thai agencies and Georgian authorities, along with Thai expat networks in the country to search for clues. He warned that solo backpacking carries high risk, recommending travel in groups of at least two or with a buddy. He advised prospective travelers to research destination countries in advance, choose countries with Thai embassies, and if none exist, locate Thai communities or business networks beforehand. He also stressed the importance of informing a third party of travel plans for safety.
