A Wellington nurse missing for more than two weeks in Europe has been found safe in Bangkok.
Vanron Ngoun, 60, known as Van, is a New Zealand resident and an Australian citizen of Cambodian descent.
He had been last heard from on May 27 when he messaged friends from Naples, Italy and has been unresponsive since. He was due to fly from Milan to Cambodia, via Doha and Bangkok on May 30.
He moved to New Zealand seven years ago, qualified as a registered nurse two years ago, and now works at Wellington Hospital.
Dr Clive Aspin, Van's close friend and long-time flatmate, said he was "incredibly relieved" to share that Van had been found safe and well in Thailand.
"Thank you so much to everyone who shared posts and helped spread the word — it’s because of those efforts that he was found.
"A friend saw one of the posts and searched for him on foot in Bangkok. Van had been unable to contact family or friends while travelling, which led to weeks of silence and serious concern."
Earlier, Aspin had said the level of anxiety caused by Van's disappearance was "just overwhelming".
"It really is totally of character for him to go silent like this, and we just want to be there. We just want to be in a place where we can help him if he needs our help."
Aspin said he had contacted the Australian High Commission in Wellington, the New Zealand High Commission in Canberra and the Australian Embassy in Rome.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told 1News it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian reported missing in Italy.
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