Looking for missing Canadian.

[talktodru@shaw.ca]

I'm trying to locate my father who was teaching English near Taipei.

His name is William (Bill) Dennis Thompson. His family hasn't heard from him in two years.

If there is anyone out there who can help us, please contact Andrew Thompson at talktodru@shaw.ca.

[Hypiereon]

I'm in Mainland China so there's not a whole lot I can do from here but give you some directional pointers. Because Taiwan is not formally or widely recognized internationally as an independent country, no foreign powers I know of have a functioning consulate or embassy there. As well, the formal internationally recognized form of representation of Taiwan, being Beijing, has no authority in Taiwan that can help you. It's a bit of a sticky situation.

There are other issues. Just because you are looking for someone does not mean they want to be found. Though you have probably imagined the worst, it could be simpler than that. You need to consider every possibility. As well, most official places are very reluctant to help someone find someone based solely on your word that there is a family relationship. To even begin to get legitamate help, you need to prove the person you are looking for is family, and prove that they are in Taiwan. Photo's, birth certificates, marriage certificate, driver's license, and all other documentation that can prove a family relationship - along with a copy of an airline ticket, a receipt from a credit card, airline, or booking agency that booked the flight. Something that connects the person you are seeking with you firstly, and then documentation that will connect them with travel to Taiwan.

Try to help someone help you. If you know for sure he was working in Taipei, then you probably should also know what school, or the name of a person he was supposed to work for. Connect the dots as far along as you can on your own before you talk to anyone else. Sorry to say this, but no one is going to be as vested in finding your dad as you are, so take it upon yourself as being your own best detective agency and do as much as you legally can. Search websties for schools he MAY have worked at and contact them directly through e-mail. Just because he doesn't work at the school you contact doesn't mean that person would be unwilling to contact other schools in the area to find out if "Mr. So-and-So" works there. It might be just that easy. Foreginers do tend to stand out a little easier over here.

There is one other possible I have thought of, but it is a long-shot. You can talk to the people in the USA that represent Taiwan unofficially. Here is their website: http://www.tecro.org/ and you can click on the "Contact Us" to find ways you might be able to communicate with someone. again, it's a long shot, but if you get someone who will talk to you then you stand a whole lot better chance of finding out what they or you can do about finding your dad. Hope this helps.

[talktodru@shaw.ca]

I have a father who went to Taiwan to teach english about three years ago, and no one has heard from him in over two years. I've tried contacting a Canadian embassy in Taiwan, but no luck. And I don't know the name of the teaching agency, or the school he taught at. But I was hoping that maybe you could relay my message to your contacts, in hope of answering my questions.

I'm trying to find William (Bill) Dennis Thompson. He is a Canadian in his early fifties, and is believed to be teaching english not far from Taipei. He sometimes wears a beard, and has greying brown hair. He is approximately six feet tall, and walks with a limp due to low back problems. His family is concerned because he may have diabetes that he isn't treating.

If anyone has heard of Bill Thompson, or know where he might be, please contact his son, Andrew Thompson, or his brother, Richard Thompson.



Thank you for any help you might give.


Andrew Thompson
(250) 385-1192
talktodru@shaw.ca

Richard Thompson
(519) 439-7810
baggywrinkle@rogers.com

[Hypiereon]

I'm not sure if this is what you tried, but if you haven't then it could be another possibility for you to try.

CANADA

13F, 365 Fuhsing N Rd

(02) 2544-3000

www.canada.org.tw

I found that contact information at this website --> http://www.eslisland.com/guide/Forei...esinTaiwan.htm
Which states that
"There are only a few countries with which Taiwan maintains diplomatic relations because of mainland China’s objections to anything other than the 'one nation' policy. Thus, there are no real 'embassies' in Taiwan. These unofficial organizations can issue visas, replace lost passports and handle other issues for citizens of their respective countries."
Meaning, if you have a problem they should be ale to help you, but then again what they can do for you is probably limited.

Again, not sure if this is what you have tried, and if you have, then sorry for the double information. I'm trying now just to contact various schools myself just to see if they have ever heard of that name or if it rings any bells. Will update here if any useful information pops up.

[talktodru@shaw.ca]

The school he was teaching at is called Min Hsiung junior high, in Chiay-i.