Eight million baht cabby: Garage owner gets his money back but doesn't know old guy's wherabouts

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

The case of the old taxi driver called Sitthichai who got 8 million baht in donations after he claimed poverty and distress from the coronavirus pandemic has taken a new twist.

 

The case has become the "drama" of the week in Thai media, notes Thaivisa, after the teary eyed cabby appeared on TV.

 

Garage owner Preecha had contacted the media claiming that Sitthichai, 72, was a con man. He said he was owed money for taxi rental from him and his son who were constantly making damage claims about his cabs.

 

However, yesterday at 1 pm Preecha went to Muang Samut Prakan police to withdraw a case relating to a claim for 14,970 baht he was owed.

 

Following a thirty minute discussion with the police Preecha said the money had been transferred to him by a close friend of Sitthichai.

 

He had no idea where he was, would not give any more interviews in the matter and asked to be left alone.

 

He thanked the media for helping him get his rent back and left.

 

Source: Thai Rath

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-05-14

 

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Because the guy can't pay rent in these times it makes him a con man?

when I saw the title was expecting to read about a good "taxi driver" returning a bag full of money... 

In a Khaosod article (not sure if it´s allowed to set a link) it´s written, that the 8 M Baht guy is not in need. He has family and lives for free in an apartment. 

This guy makes it hard for people they are really in need - and there are a lot. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He had no idea where he was, would not give any more interviews in the matter and asked to be left alone.

 

He thanked the media for helping him get his rent back and left.

I guess that he got a little more than his rent to be silenced so sudden. Maybe extra money, or a threat of bodily harm.

2 hours ago, pegman said:

Because the guy can't pay rent in these times it makes him a con man?

The guy had just received over 8 million baht from TV news viewers a week ago so it would appear he could pay rental fees.

That's 3 minutes of My life I won't get back...just add it to MY time already served in LOCKDOWN...

3 hours ago, rasmus5150 said:

I guess that he got a little more than his rent to be silenced so sudden. Maybe extra money, or a threat of bodily harm.

Im dropping the case and wont talk anymore 

On 5/14/2020 at 12:41 PM, pegman said:

Because the guy can't pay rent in these times it makes him a con man?

No.  There's a little more to it than that if you bothered to read the OP, and follow the whole case.   He's been accused of scamming B8,000,000+ in donations under false pretences and initially he refused to repay the outstanding taxi rent even though he'd received millions in donations.

On 5/14/2020 at 12:43 PM, batata said:

when I saw the title was expecting to read about a good "taxi driver" returning a bag full of money... 

Not possible as there are no forgetful foreign tourists atm.  However it wouldn’t surprise me at all if TAT released a story with a forgetful rich Thai leaving a huge sum or jewellery in some honest cabbies taxi.