Found fortune: Udon Thani man proves cash can’t buy character

A young man working at the VT Naem Nueang restaurant in Udon Thani has become a local hero after discovering a whopping 100,000 baht in cash lying on the street. Instead of pocketing the cash, he bravely handed it over to the police, hoping to reunite the money with its rightful owner, though he confessed he was seriously tempted to keep it for himself!

Thanadet Kaewbudda, a 33 year old employee at VT Naem Nueang in Udon Thani, discovered the money on a street near the Tang Jai Leasing shop on Udon Dutsadi Road. He immediately reported the find to Theeraphan Kaewphonyo, an investigator at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, handing over the cash to assist in locating the owner.

The money comprised 100 notes of 1,000 baht (US$30) each, totalling 100,000 baht (US$3,000). The police recorded the incident and are now working to trace the rightful owner.

Thanadet explained that he was out collecting an order for his company when he stumbled upon the large sum of money lying on the street. Concerned that someone might falsely claim it, he decided not to ask around and instead reported it to the police to find the genuine owner.

“I thought the owner must be worried and distressed. Importantly, it wasn’t my money. I considered how I would feel in their position. Did I want to keep it? Yes, but it wasn’t mine.”

Thanadet urged the true owner to come forward with evidence to claim their money at the Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, reported KhaoSod.

The incident drew media attention, and reporters visited the Tan Jai Leasing shop to gather more information. A shop representative revealed that a customer from Nong Khai had visited the previous day to arrange a 500,000 baht (US$15,000) car loan. The customer later called, asking if any money had been found near the shop, but the shop had not discovered any.

In related news, a Thai man was praised for his honesty after he returned 75,500 baht he found at a Bangkok petrol station cash machine to its rightful owner.