Search continues for missing Russian tourist

SURAT THANI, March 12 (TNA) - Divers early Sunday continued their search for a Russian female tourist, who has been missing since February 15 while she was diving around Koh Tao (Tao island) in the Gulf of Thailand. In another development, the mother of the missing tourist identified as Valentina Novozhyonova has arrived at Koh Tao off the southern coastal province of Surat Thani. Police said the mother told them that her daughter had just graduated with a bachelor’s degree and had learned diving for four years in Russia. Miss Novozhyonova enjoyed diving and traveled to Thailand for the first time. Police collected DNA samples from her mother and also returned her personal belongings, found at her hotel room to the mother. (TNA)