Phuket songtaew driver returns ticket home to forgetful Finnish tourist

PHUKET: A Phuket public bus driver saved the day for a Finnish tourist who left behind an important bag in a songtaew this morning.

Kamala bus driver Kiattisak Hoksad found tourist Sami Oskari Lyytinen’s bag – containing a passport, a plane ticket to Finland and some cash – in the back of his songtaew at about 11:30am today.

He immediately reported it to the police, Kamala Police Superintendent ML Pattanachak Chakrabhandhu told the Phuket Gazette.

“We then contacted the Tourist Police and Kamala Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) to help locate Mr Lyytinen,” said Col ML Pattanachak.

Not long after officers began their search, they found the visiting Finn at a songtaew terminus in Kamala and informed him that his bag was at the Kamala Police Station.

Mr Lyytinen, 25, due to leave for home in two days, expressed his gratitude to Mr Kiattisak.

“We admire Mr Kiattisak for what he did,” added Col ML Pattanachak. “Not only did it impress Mr Lyytinen, but it has helped build a better image for Phuket.”

— Chutharat Plerin