Foreign trio reunited with their childhood driver in Ubon Ratchathani | Photo courtesy of Paweena Kumlue/Facebook

 

In Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand, two foreign men and a woman reunited with a tricycle driver who cared for them over five decades ago. This touching reunion followed a search initiated after a Facebook appeal video was released on December 8. The three, who lived in Thailand as children while their father was a stationed soldier, have never forgotten the kindness of Poon Pong-aree, the driver.

 

The siblings lived in Thailand during a conflict period when their father worked in broadcasting, possibly tied to the American military presence. Thailand was a US ally during the Laotian Civil War, playing a crucial role in the region. The children fondly remembered Poon as a gentle figure who also worked as a boxer.

 

The search gained momentum after a local doctor recognized Poon's name. On December 9, Mark, one of the siblings, identified Poon from photos while recovering in the hospital. The reunion occurred on December 10 when the group traveled to meet Poon, now an elderly man.

 

The emotional reunion has garnered extensive online attention, shared and celebrated widely after the Facebook page Drama-addict reposted updates. Thousands of comments praised the resilience and warmth of the childhood bond.

 

The three specifically traveled to Thailand for this heartfelt meeting, concluding a search filled with both hope and uncertainty. The reunion highlights the enduring impact of kindness and shared memories across the decades, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• Three siblings reunited with a tricycle driver after 50 years.
• Their father was a soldier, and they lived in Thailand during a conflict.
• The reunion was facilitated by a viral Facebook video and local support.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-12

 

 

 

Hope they gave him more and an ice cream.

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Hope they gave him more and an ice cream.

Probably a Bag of Popcorn & A Bar of Chocolate.....

Let us hope they don't want another ride.

They may cause the poor man and his bike a serious injury

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Hope they gave him more and an ice cream.

Not even a flake or nuts

It was not unusual for many of us to have had personal, or family, pedicab drivers in Vietnam and Thailand back in that era.  As recently as 1995, I had a personal pedicab driver during my two- week tour of Hue.  I visited the tomb of every former emperor.  My driver was always waiting.  
 

There were also many personal maids, leading to many Cio-Cio San moments.  I often feel tempted to move back to Vietnam were it not for the elaborate scams and general attitude toward foreigners.

When I was about 16, we had a Sri Lankan driver in Hong Kong called Peter, we also employed his wife Suja as one of our 2 housemaids. 

Peter and his wife left our family after about 8 years to return to Sri Lanka (If I remember rightly his wife's sister had cancer 🙁).  We all loved them both and were very sad they had to leave. 

Then about 15 years or so later, I was going to my office in Central (the HK business district) and whilst walking down the street a voice called out "Master Freddy! Master Freddy!"  

I turned to look towards the voice and saw Peter getting out of a parked care I had just walk past.  He was back in Hong Kong, working as a driver again.  He told me his wife was living in Sri Lanka looking after her neices and nephews after her sister had passed away. 

When you have household staff for many years, they become like family, so I know how these sibling felt meeting up with this guy. 

mine was a very nice tour guide ....Jack... from a Karen hill tribe near mae Hong Son ...35 years ago....