Missing backpacker who told her family 'people are trying to hurt me' has been found in Thailand

The family of a 21-year-old backpacker missing in Thailand who told her family people were "trying to hurt her" have shared their relief after she was found by police.

Grace Taylor, from Swanage, Dorset, was reported missing after her family did not hear from her for more than a week, and when she finally called they said she sounded scared and disorientated.

But after a social media campaign went viral and with the help of Thai police, Grace was found and plans are under way to fly her home to the UK.

Grace's mother Sam Taylor wrote on her Facebook page: "Our Gracie has been found, we don't as yet know what has happened. We are working to get her home safely. Thank you all so very much for your efforts and kind words of encouragement and thank goodness for the power of social media over the last few days plus the help of the Police and local authorities in Thailand. Xx "

An original post by Mrs Taylor had been shared more than 277,000 times in the hope that someone in the backpacking community may have seen Grace.

She had written: "Our daughter Grace Taylor has not made contact with her family since Tuesday 16 February from her hostel in Pattaya, as she is travelling/backpacking in Thailand.

"She has now been reported as a missing person and we urge you to share this, particular amongst those of you who have family or people you know travelling in Thailand in the hope that she has been seen or someone knows her whereabouts. Please reach out to the backpacking community in Thailand by sharing to find Grace. If anyone has any information please call Dorset Police on 101. Thank you."

Following a phone call from Grace, Mrs Taylor penned another post stating that the family were still concerned for the whereabouts of her daughter.

She said: "STILL MISSING. Grace contacted us at 11am today from Ao Nang, she was very stressed and frightened saying that people were trying to hurt her and were following her and she wanted to come home.

"We calmed her down and booked her a flight from Krabi tonight but she apparently reached the airport but didn't catch her flight and has gone missing again. We are desperately worried, all previous backpacker sightings have reported that she is disorientated and not in a good mental state. Please can I reach out to the backpacker community once again to look out for her and get her safe. A family member is flying out tonight to come and bring her home."

Thai police said they had located Grace at Krabi airport, telling The Telegrapgh: "She has spoken to embassy officials and we expect she will be leaving Thailand. She is feeling sick but we do not believe there is any crime involved."

Mrs Taylor said her daughter had made it to the airport, but that she didn't board the plane they had booked her on.

She added: "Krabi airport isn't 24 hours and there are no hotels nearby, it is a small unmanned and remote airport. Where is Grace?"

It is believed police in Krabi located the missing backpacker for a second time and that she will be coming home to the UK, and her relieved family, soon.