UBON RATCHATHANI, THAILAND – Three foreigners traveled across the world to reunite with the Thai driver who had cared for them as children more than five decades ago, ending an emotional search in tears of joy.
Facebook video sparks emotional search
Everything began with a moving video on Facebook. User Siw Pittaya Chaisongkhram posted an appeal for help on 8 December. Three foreigners — two men and one woman — were looking for a man named Poon Pong-aree, who had looked after them when their father was stationed in Thailand as a soldier in the 1960s or 1970s.
They remembered him not only as a driver, but as a protector from their early childhood.
“He was our driver, but also something like a protector for us,”
said the siblings, who were about five years old at the time.
Clues point to Ubon Ratchathani
Their father had worked in broadcasting, transmitting information from the United States, indicating a link to the American presence in Thailand during the Laotian Civil War. Decades passed, but the memory of the friendly Tuk-Tuk driver and boxer remained vivid. The search appeared hopeless until local doctor Dr. Bow responded, saying he recognized the name.
He knew of a man who matched the description, and the trail led to the province of Ubon Ratchathani. This raised hopes that the long-lost guardian could finally be found.
Old photograph confirms his identity
One of the men, Mark, was in hospital recovering from knee surgery when the next crucial step took place. Siw visited him, carrying photos of an elderly man who might be the former driver the family was seeking. As soon as Mark saw the images, his reaction left no doubt.
“That’s him! That’s Poon!”
said Mark, overwhelmed by recognition. The following day, on 10 December, the small group set out to meet the now elderly man in person and confirm the reunion face to face.
Tears after more than fifty years apart
When the group finally met Poon Pong-aree, the encounter was intensely emotional. After more than fifty years, they embraced, closing a gap that had stretched across continents and decades. The three foreigners thanked Poon through tears for the kindness and care he had shown them in their childhood.
“We never forgot you,”
they told him. The elderly man was deeply moved by such lasting gratitude over such a long period, describing the moment as an unexpected blessing.
Viral celebration of human kindness
The widely followed Facebook page “Drama-addict” shared the story, which spread rapidly online. Thousands of users commented enthusiastically, praising what many saw as the miracle of humanity and the enduring power of childhood memories.
Social media users highlighted that the reunion showed how genuine bonds can outlast any distance, whether in space or time. The story was widely described as proof that acts of kindness can resonate across a lifetime.
A journey back to the past
The three foreigners had traveled to Thailand specifically for this search, treating it as a journey into their own past and a chance to fulfill a long-held wish. For them, the trip was about recovering a cherished part of their childhood by thanking the man who once protected them.
“It was a search full of hope, uncertainty and, in the end, immense relief,”
said Siw, who accompanied the group throughout their efforts. For everyone involved, the reunion was described as an invaluable gift and clear evidence of the lasting impact of simple, sincere goodwill.