Taxi Driver Honesty

[howardprice]

The taxi driver who returned 190,000 bht to its owner is fantastic. I have noticed several taxi drivers returning money over the years.

It touches my heart to see someone so poor yet, to have an honest upbringing in his life. Also, the owner was very generous in his reward.

Well done to both concerned. I have come across many very honest Thais over the years personally. Amazing Thailand. Amazing people. May Buddha look after you all.

[gotlost]

:thumbsup:

[longstebe]

Is there a link to this story?

[CarlBkk]

Sorry but I'm going to balance things out here and be negative, because that's the reality. The story of such money being returned is brilliant, honest but also exceptional....as it got reported to the media. Non-returns often don't.

As my Thai friends say...and in my personal experience....for every honest taxi driver willing to A) bother and want to, return items left in the car there are another 8 that won't. It's a heartwarming story where poor people in a poor country return items of considerable relative wealth, and it's truly great when it happens, but it's TOO rare. That goes for items left in toilets, sports clubs or dropped...phones, wallets and even clothes. The most success I've known for getting items returned when left is by staff in restaurants.

[AleG]

Once I forgot my condo keys in a taxi, next day the man came back to return them to me. So there are good drivers out there... on the other hand when I forgot 70,000+ worth of photography equipment on the back seat it was gone for good.

[thomo]

Lucky bugger has a handy set of cut condo keys... the smart ass is just waiting for long enough for you too forget about it.

[StreetCowboy]

Sorry but I'm going to balance things out here and be negative, because that's the reality. The story of such money being returned is brilliant, honest but also exceptional....as it got reported to the media. Non-returns often don't.

As my Thai friends say...and in my personal experience....for every honest taxi driver willing to A) bother and want to, return items left in the car there are another 8 that won't. It's a heartwarming story where poor people in a poor country return items of considerable relative wealth, and it's truly great when it happens, but it's TOO rare. That goes for items left in toilets, sports clubs or dropped...phones, wallets and even clothes. The most success I've known for getting items returned when left is by staff in restaurants.

Those of us who are stupid enough to leave our valuables in taxis or buses or toilets or restaurants deserve only a little sympathy; I am amazed at how often my stupidity has gone unpunished; perhaps the most entertaining story might be the time my wallet dropped out my pocket on the bus...

I realised what had happened when I was getting out my money for the next bus - so I flagged down a taxi and chased the bus, and luckily was able to catch it, recover the wallet, and thus pay the particularly helpful taxi driver...the bus driver was a bit taken aback when I leapt on, rushed to the seat I'd been sat in "AHA!" I shouted gleefully, wallet raised aloft!

To some extent, the onus lies on the foolish and careless amongst us to reward honesty as best we can, when honest people go out of their way to help us -

SC

[StreetCowboy]

Once I forgot my condo keys in a taxi, next day the man came back to return them to me. So there are good drivers out there... on the other hand when I forgot 70,000+ worth of photography equipment on the back seat it was gone for good.

Sounds like you need a carer, l am cheap.

There's nothing as expensive as a cheap consultant...

SC