A 40 year old Japanese language interpreter, Sarawut, reported a cash theft case to Bang Bua Thong police against Chanan Chai, a taxi driver, for allegedly keeping a wallet he found and refusing to return it.
The wallet, lost by the victim, contained 2,080 baht, credit and ATM cards, an ID card, and important documents. The incident occurred at 3pm on September 27 at a gas station on Rattanathibet Road in Bang Rak Phatthana, Bang Bua Thong district. CCTV footage serves as evidence.
Sarawut explained that he initially reported the lost wallet to the police, who later identified the taxi driver as the person who found it.
However, when contacted, the driver claimed to have placed the documents in a postbox in Bang Bua Thong and admitted to using 800 baht from the wallet for vehicle fuel. Despite requests from Sarawut to return the wallet and money, the driver refused.
Sarawut expressed his concern that such incidents should not happen to others, as taxi drivers are expected to provide a service. He emphasised that the issue is not about the money but about setting a social standard where found items are returned to their owners.
Police Colonel Pruet Jamroonsarn of Bang Bua Thong Police Station stated that the taxi driver’s actions were documented on CCTV.
Following the incident, the victim filed a report, and the investigation team contacted the driver to expedite the wallet’s return, which the driver declined.
In similar news, in May this year, a motorcycle taxi rider in Phuket was caught on dashcam stealing cash dropped by a foreign couple on a Patong road. The footage showed the rider pocketing the money while other bystanders helped return the notes to the tourists.
Despite being confronted by the foreign man, the rider refused to hand back the cash and quickly fled the scene.
The incidents caused widespread criticism online, with many condemning the cash theft for tarnishing the reputation of service workers, though the amount taken was small, netizens stressed that such dishonesty damages public trust and Thailand’s image among tourists.
The victim proceeded with legal action, prompting the police to issue a summons. The driver faces charges of embezzlement, carrying a penalty of up to three years in prison according to the law, reported by KhaoSod.
The story Taxi driver faces charges for keeping lost wallet in Bang Bua Thong as seen on Thaiger News.
