BANGKOK, THAILAND – A passerby returned 225,000 baht in lost supermarket takings to a distressed store manager after surveillance footage identified him, and police praised the act of honesty while warning of legal risks for those who keep found money.
Lost takings and the CCTV trail
On October 14, Saranya, the manager of a convenience store, arrived at Samsen police station in tears after she realised the day’s takings — 225,000 baht — had fallen from a plastic bag while she was on her way to the bank. The sum, worth roughly 5,600 euros, represented the store’s daily income and was, according to local reporting, equivalent to several months’ pay for an average worker in Thailand.
Police officers led by Police Lieutenant Kiattirat Wongkaensarn and Police Lieutenant Kriangsak Sudjitjul immediately reviewed nearby CCTV footage. The recordings showed a Thai man bend down, pick up the bag and walk away. Officers began a search after identifying the man from the footage.
The encounter at the police station
The man, identified as Anakepan, told police he had not known who the money belonged to and had been unsure how to return it. “I didn’t know whose money it was, and I wasn’t sure how to give it back,” he said, according to police accounts. He also insisted he had spent none of the cash.
When police brought him to the station to clarify the circumstances, Anakepan handed over the entire amount to Saranya. The manager, visibly moved, said she was immensely grateful and added, “That could have cost me my job.” The return of the full sum allowed the matter to be resolved swiftly.
Legal context and police warning
Authorities used the episode to remind the public that failing to return found money can lead to criminal liability under Thailand’s penal code, where appropriation of lost property can be treated as theft. The official statement cautioned people to take care of valuables, especially in busy public spaces: “Please be careful with your valuables, particularly in crowded places,” the police advised.
Despite initially detaining Anakepan for questioning, officers ultimately decided not to press charges, citing his cooperation and the fact that he returned the money when confronted.
Public reaction and wider implications
The story spread quickly on social media, where many users praised the finder’s integrity. Typical comments celebrated the act as a rare example of honesty, with some noting how difficult it would be to resist keeping such a large sum.
It was not reported whether Anakepan received any formal reward for his actions. Police closed the case by highlighting the positive outcome: while losing a large sum of cash can be devastating for a business, the incident ended well because a man chose to hand the money back.
The episode has prompted broader conversation about personal responsibility and legal obligations when handling found property in Thailand, and has provided a rare moment of public celebration for everyday integrity.