Emile Ratelband Missing in Thailand as Family Offers Reward
The adult children of Dutch positivity guru Emile Ratelband are offering a financial reward for information regarding his whereabouts, stating they have not had direct contact with him in nearly two years. According to NH Nieuws, family members last saw the 77-year-old television personality on January 3, 2025, when he arrived at Schiphol Airport following a family holiday before returning to Thailand.
Ratelband emigrated to Thailand in 2022 and settled in a villa near Hua Hin, where he pursued real estate and a cricket farming venture, as reported by De Telegraaf. His children began sounding the alarm after visits to the property revealed an empty house and no trace of Ratelband or his Brazilian partner, Natalia da Silva. In response, family members launched public appeals and offered a 2,500-euro reward for tips leading to his location.
Searches at the Hua Hin Villa and Empty Rooms
Family members have traveled to Thailand multiple times to check on Ratelband’s residence. In June 2025, his daughter Minou Ratelband flew to Hua Hin after months of silence, finding the villa completely deserted, according to Bekende Buren. His son Rolls subsequently visited the address with identical results, describing the residence as entirely empty with no signs of its inhabitants.
The family also holds deep concerns for Ratelband’s two young children with Natalia, Betheke and Maximus, who are six and four years old. Relatives report having no communication with the children either, noting they are too young to maintain independent contact.
Disputed WhatsApp Messages and Foreign Office Inquiries
While sporadic text messages arrive from numbers associated with Ratelband, his children question their authenticity. Emilio stated that the incoming messages feature flawed Dutch phrasing that mirrors Natalia’s writing style rather than his father’s normal communication.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation through the Dutch embassy in Bangkok and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have yielded few answers. Buitenlandse Zaken reported to the family that Thai authorities investigated the matter and claimed Ratelband is safe and simply wants no further contact. However, the family states that authorities have refused to share any video or direct proof supporting that claim.
Minou Ratelband previously discussed her desperation in an interview with Shownieuws, noting she has not seen her father in a year and nine months and cannot reach him via phone or FaceTime. To expand the search, the family posted alerts on platforms like LinkedIn, asking anyone with verified information on Emile Ratelband or Natalia da Silva to come forward.
Questions Surrounding the Disappearance
- Where is Emile Ratelband currently located? The exact whereabouts of Ratelband and his partner Natalia da Silva remain unconfirmed by independent sources.
- Why won’t authorities release proof of life? While the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs relayed that Thai authorities investigated and found Ratelband well, the family reports that officials have declined to provide the video evidence substantiating that claim.
- Who is managing the public search? Ratelband’s adult children, including Minou and Emilio, are leading the public appeal and offering a 2,500-euro reward for information.
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