Everyone was happy in Surat Thani yesterday when a visiting South African policeman’s wallet was returned to him.
Now the grateful tourist wants to repay the honesty of the man with a monthly allowance.
Rachendeen Ayer, 52, had given up hope of ever seeing his money (100,000 bht) and credit cards again after losing his wallet on Wednesday.
But he had not bargained for the honesty of 74 year old “samlor” operator Banphot Chotikphan who found the wallet and immediately took it into the police.
Banphot cycles around the To Rung market area on Na Muang Road in the southern Thai town. He has been doing that for decades.
He said at the police station yesterday that even though he is poor he would not dream of keeping another person’s possessions as he understood their problems in losing money. He was just happy that the owner was found.
Rachendeen said that he had come to Surat on February 25th to visit his Thai girlfriend.
He was most impressed with modest Banphot and has talked with officials on ways that he can transfer a monthly allowance to the old man as a way of repaying his kindness.
All concerned had their smiling pictures taken yesterday at Surat police station.
(Source:Thairath)