URGENT CALL FOR HELP: Canadian writer missing in Siem Reap
URGENT CALL FOR HELP: Canadian writer missing in Siem Reap
This story was published in this morning's Phnom Penh Post. Full report below.
Dave Walker, a well known Southeast Asian journalist and filmmaker, left his guesthouse on Friday, 14 February. His passport, charging mobile phone, laptop computer and luggage were all in the room when he stepped out to let his maid clean the room at 2pm. Staff at the guesthouse saw him leave carrying a bottle of water. That was the last time anyone saw him.
Dave and his filmmaking partner were interviewing people about their experiences during the Khmer Rouge era for a film project, details here:
http://www.animistfarmfilms.com/about-us
There is some strong concern that this may have had a role in his disappearance. Local hospitals have been contacted, the police are involved in the search and consular officials are working on the case.
A missing poster has been put up on the page of the "Find Dave Walker" Facebook group:
Anyone who is in Siem Reap can help by printing out a copy of the poster in the above link and putting it up around town in Siem Reap or printing t-shirts using the image.
Translating the text into Khmer and doing the same would also be a huge help.
Please spread the message. A big thank you to anyone who can help us find our friend.
Phnom Penh Post article:
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/v ... ing-s-reap
Veteran journalist missing in S Reap
Wed, 19 February 2014
Thik Kaliyann and Stuart White
Police in Siem Reap province are looking for veteran Canadian journalist and screenwriter Dave Walker, 58, who went missing from his guesthouse under mysterious circumstances on the afternoon of February 14, police and colleagues said yesterday.
Siem Reap provincial Immigration Police officer Yut Sinin said that Walker had left his room at the Green Village Angkor guesthouse on the afternoon of the 14th, leaving behind his phone, laptop, passport and belongings – and little indication of where he might have gone.
“We are worried about his safety now. Previously, he would usually leave Siem Reap for Thailand for about three or four days, but this time we found that his passport, phone and clothes are still in his guesthouse,” said Sinin, adding that he had posted a notice seeking information on a Siem Reap expat Facebook group.
“The Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh [which handles consular affairs for Canadians] just contacted us [on Tuesday] morning about him going missing, but we will try our best to find him,” Sinin said.
A representative working on Canadian consular affairs at the embassy confirmed yesterday that they had received a missing persons report, and were investigating the matter.
Sonny Chhuon, with whom Walker co-founded the film production company Animist Farm Films, said that staff told him Walker ducked out of his room at about 2pm on February 14 to allow a housekeeper to clean it, carrying just a bottle of water.
“Dave told them, ‘Go ahead, clean the room; I’ll be back in a while,’ then we never saw him again,” Chhoun said, noting that Walker didn’t drink alcohol and had a well-established daily routine.
Chhoun, who typically saw Walker on a daily basis, said he had checked with police, local clinics and restaurants that Walker frequented, but no one had seen him since he left the hotel.
“I just want to say, I don’t think he went anywhere by himself. I think something is wrong. I don’t think he would just leave, with his phone on the charger, and go somewhere,” Chhoun added. “This is very unnatural for Dave. I know him very well.”
Dave Walker, a well known Southeast Asian journalist and filmmaker, left his guesthouse on Friday, 14 February. His passport, charging mobile phone, laptop computer and luggage were all in the room when he stepped out to let his maid clean the room at 2pm. Staff at the guesthouse saw him leave carrying a bottle of water. That was the last time anyone saw him.
Dave and his filmmaking partner were interviewing people about their experiences during the Khmer Rouge era for a film project, details here:
http://www.animistfarmfilms.com/about-us
There is some strong concern that this may have had a role in his disappearance. Local hospitals have been contacted, the police are involved in the search and consular officials are working on the case.
A missing poster has been put up on the page of the "Find Dave Walker" Facebook group:
Anyone who is in Siem Reap can help by printing out a copy of the poster in the above link and putting it up around town in Siem Reap or printing t-shirts using the image.
Translating the text into Khmer and doing the same would also be a huge help.
Please spread the message. A big thank you to anyone who can help us find our friend.
Phnom Penh Post article:
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/v ... ing-s-reap
Veteran journalist missing in S Reap
Wed, 19 February 2014
Thik Kaliyann and Stuart White
Police in Siem Reap province are looking for veteran Canadian journalist and screenwriter Dave Walker, 58, who went missing from his guesthouse under mysterious circumstances on the afternoon of February 14, police and colleagues said yesterday.
Siem Reap provincial Immigration Police officer Yut Sinin said that Walker had left his room at the Green Village Angkor guesthouse on the afternoon of the 14th, leaving behind his phone, laptop, passport and belongings – and little indication of where he might have gone.
“We are worried about his safety now. Previously, he would usually leave Siem Reap for Thailand for about three or four days, but this time we found that his passport, phone and clothes are still in his guesthouse,” said Sinin, adding that he had posted a notice seeking information on a Siem Reap expat Facebook group.
“The Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh [which handles consular affairs for Canadians] just contacted us [on Tuesday] morning about him going missing, but we will try our best to find him,” Sinin said.
A representative working on Canadian consular affairs at the embassy confirmed yesterday that they had received a missing persons report, and were investigating the matter.
Sonny Chhuon, with whom Walker co-founded the film production company Animist Farm Films, said that staff told him Walker ducked out of his room at about 2pm on February 14 to allow a housekeeper to clean it, carrying just a bottle of water.
“Dave told them, ‘Go ahead, clean the room; I’ll be back in a while,’ then we never saw him again,” Chhoun said, noting that Walker didn’t drink alcohol and had a well-established daily routine.
Chhoun, who typically saw Walker on a daily basis, said he had checked with police, local clinics and restaurants that Walker frequented, but no one had seen him since he left the hotel.
“I just want to say, I don’t think he went anywhere by himself. I think something is wrong. I don’t think he would just leave, with his phone on the charger, and go somewhere,” Chhoun added. “This is very unnatural for Dave. I know him very well.”
My guess would be a traffic accident and that he could be at some clinic or hospital being treated.
Hope he turns up safe and sound.
Hope he turns up safe and sound.
bkkexpat - you should ignore the above. There are lots of inside 'jokes' on this forum that you have to follow the page 24/7 to get. It's mostly puerile nonsense. This one must be some reference to an old 440 member who flew off the handle once and who everyone else had a good go at. I assure you it has nothing to do with the matter at hand and is beneath your attentions.
Thanks, Backhome, for clarifying. I hope that is the last of them in this thread.
-
- Making Khmer girls cry since 2003
- Reactions: 130
- Posts: 21358
- Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2003 10:15 pm
rob77 wrote:My guess would be a traffic accident and that he could be at some clinic or hospital being treated.
No, it sounds like a snake bite to me.
Seriously, I make it a habit now to always have a copy of my passport and medical insurance paperwork in my pocket at all times. I also carry a credit/debit card on me pretty much all the time. That way, if I turn up at a hospital unconscious and without my pockets having been emptied (unlikely I know) the doctors can identify and treat me.
Follow my lame Twitter feed: @gavin_mac
-
- Making Khmer girls cry since 2003
- Reactions: 130
- Posts: 21358
- Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2003 10:15 pm
Do you think the Khmer Rouge killed him?bkkexpat wrote: Dave and his filmmaking partner were interviewing people about their experiences during the Khmer Rouge era for a film project, details here:
http://www.animistfarmfilms.com/about-us
There is some strong concern that this may have had a role in his disappearance.
Follow my lame Twitter feed: @gavin_mac
Is anyone here living in Siem Reap? Dave was staying at the Green Village Angkor guesthouse. Any local contact who might be able to help look, spread the picture, or even just to exchange messages with would be helpful.
- violet
- Suspicious Little Mad Woman
- Reactions: 289
- Posts: 19709
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:48 pm
- Location: About as far away as can be.
i'm waiting to have my Find Dave Walker friend request (page wouldn't have been better?) on facebook accepted so I can spread it there.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
- Plutarch
- Plutarch
- violet
- Suspicious Little Mad Woman
- Reactions: 289
- Posts: 19709
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:48 pm
- Location: About as far away as can be.
^ah my bad. i searched for it and 'Person' not 'page' 'group' came up. I should have clicked on your link.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
- Plutarch
- Plutarch
- violet
- Suspicious Little Mad Woman
- Reactions: 289
- Posts: 19709
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:48 pm
- Location: About as far away as can be.
maybe post that separately so people have more chance of seeing the information?BirdBrain wrote:On a semi-related note, Denis Jones aka Marwood aka Uncle Monty is being cremated today in Kampong Cham. I believe his ashes will then be scattered in the Mekong.
Rest in peace mate.
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
- Plutarch
- Plutarch
Yep, I am very wary of any profiles like this as they get all of your info. A 'page' would definitely have been better.violet wrote:i'm waiting to have my Find Dave Walker friend request (page wouldn't have been better?) on facebook accepted so I can spread it there.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
YVES GRAVAL, Canadian national, was arrested for attacking a man in Cozy bar in Siem Reap.
by CambodianCrime » Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:01 pm » in Cambodia Speakeasy - 3 Replies
- 2398 Views
-
Last post by logos
Mon Sep 23, 2019 4:51 am
-
-
- 8 Replies
- 5053 Views
-
Last post by Younggun
Fri Nov 04, 2022 2:19 pm
-
- 23 Replies
- 4075 Views
-
Last post by maxx
Tue Nov 26, 2019 9:35 am
-
- 0 Replies
- 2957 Views
-
Last post by Bob Tailcat
Sun Apr 21, 2019 8:44 am
-
- 1 Replies
- 1705 Views
-
Last post by ChristianPFC
Fri Dec 16, 2022 12:38 pm