A homeless Norwegian man who has spent more than two years sleeping at temples in Nonthaburi is seeking help to return home after allegedly having his passport stolen.
Forty four year old Odd Stian Hesseberg was found searching through rubbish for food near a roadside in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, yesterday, August 6, after pictures of him were shared on a local Facebook page.
Hesseberg told reporters that he had been in Thailand for two years and six months. He said he originally travelled to the country alone to meet a female friend in Nakhon Sawan but was unable to contact her.
He said he later travelled around Thailand before eventually arriving in Nonthaburi, where someone allegedly stole a bag containing his passport and other documents.
Hesseberg said the loss left him stranded and he had spent more than two years sleeping at different temples. He added that he wanted to return to Norway but did not know who to contact for assistance.
A worker at Klang Kret Temple said Hesseberg had been staying around the temple for approximately one year.
According to the worker, a monk arranged and paid for a taxi to take Hesseberg to the Norwegian Embassy about three months ago in an attempt to help him return home. The worker said he did not know what happened after the visit, but Hesseberg later returned to the temple.
The temple worker claimed Hesseberg regularly asks residents for money and uses some of it to buy alcohol. He also alleged that the Norwegian sometimes asks people attending temple events for money.
On some occasions, he allegedly asked for 2,000 baht, saying he needed it to return to Norway. The worker said people sometimes give him between 100 and 200 baht instead.
Despite this, the worker said he was not aware of Hesseberg causing any criminal problems in the area. He said the Norwegian had been seen around Pak Kret for approximately two years, often sleeping at temple pavilions or near the pier.
The worker added that Hesseberg does not speak Thai, although he appears to understand some questions. He said he hoped relevant agencies could help him return to Norway rather than continue living alone on the streets.
The worker also said agencies had previously attempted to locate Hesseberg but claimed he ran away, making it difficult for them to find him.
Amarin TV reported that Hesseberg’s permission to remain in Thailand had expired. Reporters have contacted Nonthaburi Immigration to check his travel records and coordinate with the Norwegian Embassy over assistance returning him home.
The story Homeless Norwegian in Nonthaburi seeks help to return home as seen on Thaiger News.
