A 19-year-old British teenager survived for two weeks in a jungle by consuming insects and tree bark after becoming lost. Lawrence Stallard Honour was reported missing on September 27 in Thailand, with concerns that he may have fallen victim to a scam. However, he had actually wandered into the jungle while attempting to cross into Myanmar.
Following a massive search near the border, Lawrence was discovered at a temple in the province, having lived in the forest for 10 days by feeding on ants and tree bark. He was found by the One Sky Foundation on October 11 after trekking through rough terrain and scavenging for food.
Thai police revealed that Lawrence had intended to travel to Payathonzu in Myanmar but encountered difficulties at the border checkpoint. He ended up lost in the forest after his phone battery died and he had no money for accommodation. Thankfully, he was reunited with his parents, Julian Honour and Gulnara Fattakhova, after being rescued.
Lawrence’s mother had raised concerns about his online activities and the possibility of him being deceived into visiting a scam center in Myanmar. The area has been plagued by criminal activities, including drug production and scam operations targeting individuals globally.
In a related development, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on entities in Myanmar and Cambodia involved in large-scale scam operations. The Karen National Army and its leader were also sanctioned for their roles in cyber scams, human trafficking, and smuggling.
There have been serious concerns raised about the human rights violations associated with these scam centers, including human trafficking, forced labor, and abusive working conditions. Reports from various organizations indicate that workers are often subjected to exploitation and abuse in these illicit operations.