B RITISH backpacker Robert Burndred disappeared in Thailand near the Cambodian

border, it was announced on July 20.

University graduate Burndred, 23,

has been missing since late January but the case went unnoticed until private

investigators hired by his family issued a press release.

The Hong

Kong-based private investigation firm O'Reilly, Vernier and Gurka said it had

evidence to suggest that Burndred had crossed the border into

Cambodia.

Corporate investigator William O'Reilly said in the press

release: "We are well aware that the area that he crossed into in Cambodia is a

Khmer Rouge zone, but at this point we have no evidence to suggest the Khmer

Rouge captured him or harmed him. We cannot absolutely rule out the possibility

that Burndred met with misfortune on the Thai side of the border."

A

statement issued on behalf of Burndred's family said: "Robert was travelling

through Asia fulfilling his wish to meet its people and experience its culture,

when he disappeared in the northern area in January. His mother is sick with

worry, now needing medical attention and his younger brother is very upset to

think that Robert may have been harmed.

"We all fear for his safety and

wonder if we will ever see him again."