(L to R) Ramin Rajaeetabar
receives his money and wallet back from taxi driver Wichian Phonkhong,
overseen by Pattaya Police Superintendent Col. Supachai Puikaewkam.
Boonlua Chatree
An honest Thai taxi driver returned a wallet containing more than 50,000
baht left in his cab by an Iranian tourist.
Wichian Phonkhong, 57, turned in the wallet containing important
documents, 6,000 baht and $1,500 to Pattaya Police Superintendent Col.
Supachai Puikaewkam March 19.
Wichian said he had picked up three tourists from U-Tapao-Pattaya
International Airport and dropped them off on the road in South Pattaya
area. While returning home, he found the wallet on the front seat and
made a beeline to police headquarters. He said he wouldn’t have been
comfortable keeping things that didn’t belong to him.
Later, Ramin Rajaeetabar, 24, turned up at the Soi 9 station to report
his lost wallet. When he saw Wichian, he went straight to hug him and
thanked him for his honesty. Rajaeetabar checked and found the wallet
still full and gave the driver a reward.
Supachai said it was very admirable of Wichian to do the right thing and
created a good impression with tourists. Supachai also gave Wichian a
donation from his own pocket as well.
