On September 1, 2024, at the Police Radio FM91 station, Dr. Jaitanai Sriwangpol, Deputy Managing Director of Vilai Center & Sons Co., Ltd., and Mr. Phichit Chaiyanit, Head of the News Department at FM91, witnessed the return of foreign currency totaling 75,100 baht to its Israeli owner, who had accidentally left the money in a taxi.

 

The Good Samaritan taxi driver, Mr. Wirat Soiudom, 54, from Roi Et Province, drives a pink and green taxi with the registration number ThS-2769 in Bangkok.

 

He found a black Prada handbag containing various foreign currencies and documents, including identification in the name of Mr. Nathanel Avinoam, an Israeli national. Mr. Wirat picked up Mr. Avinoam on August 31, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. on Trok Road and dropped him off in Soi Sukhumvit 22.

Later, at 2:00 a.m. on the night of August 31, 2024, Mr. Wirat brought the bag to the FM91 station after checking the documents and money inside, which included US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Israeli shekels, UAE dirhams, and Thai baht, totaling 75,100 baht.

 

Upon being notified, FM91 quickly searched for the bag's owner and eventually found him. The owner, an Israeli tourist staying at a hotel in the Charoen Krung area, has been traveling to Thailand for business and leisure for over 20 years.

 

Mr. Wirat, the Good Samaritan taxi driver, said he has been following FM91 for over 20-30 years and has returned lost money to its owners on several occasions. Just like this time, he tried to drive around and find the owner but could not locate him, so he thought of FM91 and decided to leave the bag there to help find the owner. "I’m glad to be a good citizen, and I want to encourage all taxi and tuk-tuk drivers to be honest in their profession," he said.

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Mr. Nathanel Avinoam, the owner of the bag, expressed his joy and gratitude upon meeting the honest taxi driver. He said, "I have been traveling to and from Thailand for over 20 years. I love Thailand for its food, healthcare, and the kindness of its people. I want to spend my retirement here. I am pleased to have met such a good person and to have my belongings returned."

 

In appreciation of the taxi driver's honesty, Mr. Avinoam gave him a reward of 200 US dollars, equivalent to 6,800 baht.

 

TOP Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

-- 2024-09-02

 

 

Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

At least the Israeli gave him a better reward than some of the stingy ones I have seen reported here on AN for returning lost bags containing money.

yes I'm sure he did ...  everyone here is honest '  especially taxi drivers  

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

yes I'm sure he did ...  everyone here is honest '  especially taxi drivers  

Some are honest...

Bet you if it was a Thai that left his money with an Israeli it would never have been returned.

14 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Bet you if it was a Thai that left his money with an Israeli it would never have been returned.

 

What a ridiculous statement!

Jew hater much????

14 minutes ago, loong said:

 

What a ridiculous statement!

Jew hater much????

No not at all. 
I stand by my assessment.

People are so sensitive these days. Faux outrage.

Jews, Indians and Chinese can all joke about their love of money.

 

Police caught him trying to exchange those money into thai baht. 

the only chance he had is to pretend he's "good sama-kamula"

so he did.

been there, seen this.

PS: Israeli guy looks like a shmuck: 2 AM suknumwit? please 

Don't believe this story for a second!

 

Never met a Jew who lost even one satang anywhere, anytime!

 

And some of my best friends are Jewish!

Since when did Bht 75,000 become  ''almost 100,000'' ?

 

Why did the Israeli not go to the nearest Police Station to report he had left his bag in a taxi?

3 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

Never met a Jew who lost even one satang anywhere, anytime!

not a jew, Israeli. 

not everyone from Israel is jew and not every jew wants to be an Israeli [citizen]

there are many from Eastern Europe - they don't even bother to learn hebrew and look down on jewish traditions.

 

And yes, you're very right: this is not complete story

75k baht rounded to 100k baht. Thai math at its finest. 

Headlines are more important than actual facts. 

Why was Nathanel carrying so much cash?

7 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

Don't believe this story for a second!

 

Never met a Jew who lost even one satang anywhere, anytime!

 

And some of my best friends are Jewish!

Sure they are, sure they are.

To be honest I would never return it

 

 

No one will thank you for it

 

I have found things before and returned it to their owner not to even get a thanks !!!!

 

 

 

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

I have found things before 

Do tell......what have you found mopping floors over the years, anything worth chatting about? 

 

On 9/2/2024 at 7:57 AM, loong said:

 

What a ridiculous statement!

Jew hater much????

he surely is!

1 hour ago, daejung said:

he surely is!

Please there is no room for Anti Semitism .

All I ask kindly of you to take people as they are ,rather than what their race , religion or whatever 

 

Please all I ask is you open your heart and embrace every cultural aspect and accept all minorities into your life with love hope dignity and respect