Lucky Frenchman reunited with belongings left in Phuket taxi
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan


Mr Cellier (2nd from left), shakes hands with taxi driver Chatri Saengnun, watched by tourist police officers and French Honorary Consul Claude de Crissey.

PHUKET: -- A lucky Frenchman, André Gilbert Etienne Cellier got all his valuables back yesterday afternoon (January 29) after leaving them in a taxi a week earlier.

Mr Cellier reported to tourist police that he had left his money and important documents in the taxi he took from International Phuket Airport to Patong.

Among them were €3,300 (about B132,000) in cash, a cell phone, his passport, and other important documents.

Pol Maj Urumporn Koondejsumrit, Inspector of the Tourist Police, ordered his men at the airport to track the taxi down.

There was no need; the driver, Chatri Saengnun, had already reported finding Mr Cellier’s belongings. On Wedn4esday, at the Tourist Police Station in Phuket Town, Mr Cellier and his belongings were reunited.

Maj Urumporn told The Phuket News, “He [Mr Andre] said he was very happy to have his things back. He was not expecting to get them returned, and he was effusive in his thanks to the driver and everyone who had helped him.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/lucky-frenchman-reunited-with-belongings-left-in-phuket-taxi-44312.php


-- Phuket News 2014-01-30

I hope he rewarded the driver for his honesty.

It's sad that this is "news"

In most countries returning lost items is a common occurrence.

It's sad that this is "news"

In most countries returning lost items is a common occurrence.

Just thinking exactly the same thing.

It' a wonder it did not have the breaking news logo to go with it.

Phuket taxi driver returns more than 3,000 euros to Frenchman
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: A Phuket taxi driver yesterday returned a bag containing nearly 150,000 baht worth of euros and other valuables to a Frenchman who left it in his taxi.

The 57-year-old tourist, Andre Cellier, arrived on January 22 and took a taxi to Patong. When he discovered he had forgotten his bag – which contained his passport and a mobile phone, as well as 3,300 euros – he called the Tourist Police, said Phuket Tourist Police Chief Urumporn Koondejsumrit.

Tourist Police located the taxi driver, Chatree Saengnon, 35, and found that he had filed a report about the missing belongings.

“We contacted French Honorary Consul Claude de Crissey to help arrange a meeting between Mr Cellier and Mr Chatree,” Maj Urumporn said.

It took a week to find a mutually suitable time, but finally the two men were united and the valuables returned.

“I would like to thank Mr Chatree for returning my money and other belongings. And I want to thank the police officers for helping me,” a grateful Mr Cellier said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Phuket-taxi-driver-returns-more-than-3-000-euros-to-Frenchman-24446.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2014-01-30

Possible PR stunt?

Reading on TV, I notice there are a lot of people, that are stupid enough to leave the real important things (money, passport, etc) in their taxis... They are probably 'smart' enough to take their dirty laundry out of the taxi, but 'forget' the only things that are really important...

Are people really that stupid or is it all a publicity stunt, again and again?!?

I hope he rewarded the driver for his honesty.

Frenchmen do reward...

Not sure how much....

Man...some of you guys...have been in Thailand too long...

Even when there is good news...you are skeptical...giving sarcastic replies...

Can this be a reflection of your personal experiences...in the Land of Lies?

Maybe you could start a new thread...Why I do not believe anything I hear or read in Thailand...

Man...some of you guys...have been in Thailand too long...

Even when there is good news...you are skeptical...giving sarcastic replies...

Can this be a reflection of your personal experiences...in the Land of Lies?

Maybe you could start a new thread...Why I do not believe anything I hear or read in Thailand...

I agree.

I truly "believe" I am "Young and handsome man."

Now, can I interest you in some timeshare property?

Remember, you are on Phuket, not in Thailand.

It's sad that this is "news"

In most countries returning lost items is a common occurrence.

How old are you

According to his very happy and relieved face, it wouldn't surprise me that the return of his belongings was negotiated . It's happen in Phuket don't forget

money belt around the waist,money ,passport etc,when i used to travel i always used one,now i lock stuff in the car.

Everyone else is stupid in the minds of TV sourpusses, until something similar happens to them.

It happened to me in Bangkok on Wednesday. I was distracted by the taxi driver's sudden decision after 1k that he did not have enough gas to complete the journey, so he requested that I get out and find another cab. I jumped in another cab and realised I had brought with me my laptop bag but not my 'man bag' (yes I have hitherto adopted the European approach to carting all those little essentials around).

I lost 30,000 baht, two mobile phones all my keys to Bangkok, UK and Isaan accommodation, all my credit cards and ATM banks, drivers license and a $500 small camera.

Call me Mr Stupid, but we are all Mr Stupid at one time or another in our lives.

I had a happy ending too. Ran back the 1k to my condo who advised me to go straight to Police and to ring the Bangkok taxi drivers phone network service. By the time we got to Prakanong police station my wife told me we should jump straight back on the motorbikes and go to the taxi centre as the network call had brought the taxi driver into their offices.

I love honest people - I rewarded him 25,000 baht. Didn't get any press photos (happens all the time in Bangkok) but did do a 10 minute interview on the Bangkok taxi drivers radio network!

Unfortunately my wife hasn't kept that phone number, but no doubt the police will give it to you if you ask when you have your Mr stupid moment

Don't assume all Thais are thieves.