BANGKOK, THAILAND – Two teenagers and a rapid police response reunited a US tourist with 11,170 baht in lost cash in Bangkok within just two hours.
Cash lost at riverside shopping complex
The incident took place on the evening of 6 January 2026 at the popular Asiatique The Riverfront shopping and leisure complex on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. There, an American tourist lost a bundle of cash amounting to 11,170 baht (about 356 US dollars). Shortly afterwards, two schoolgirls found the money on the ground near the complex; they were identified as 18-year-old Praiya Wongwiwatwaithaya and 17-year-old Atcharaporn Kulprasert.
Students head straight to nearby police station
The two young women said they discovered the cash while on their way home. Instead of searching for the owner themselves, they went directly to the nearby Wat Phraya Krai Police Station and handed the money to Police Lieutenant Colonel Siwat Yang-un. According to police, the students stressed that even small amounts of money could be important to the owner and cause stress, and therefore asked officers to identify the rightful owner.
Investigators turn to CCTV across Asiatique
According to Metropolitan Police Division 5, the find was officially registered at around 6:40 p.m. Senior officers, including Pol. Maj. Gen. Witawat Chinkham, ordered a targeted search, and investigators reviewed extensive CCTV footage from the Asiatique grounds. The recordings showed a foreign visitor in the area where the money had been found, and officers assumed he was still in the shopping center and began searching for him on site.
US tourist located and escorted to station
At around 8:00 p.m., police officers located a tourist matching the description from the camera images. After a brief interview, the man confirmed that he was an American visitor and had lost cash. He was asked to accompany officers to Wat Phraya Krai Police Station, while one of the schoolgirls who had found the money was also called in to the station.
Amount verified and property officially returned
At the station, the cash was formally handed over and the sum checked against the previously deposited 11,170 baht. Police confirmed that the full amount matched and that the money was returned to the American the same evening. The case was registered as lost property successfully returned to its owner, and there were no indications of any criminal offence.
Gratitude for honesty and swift investigation
According to the police report, the tourist thanked both the students and the officers involved. He was said to be impressed by the professional and rapid investigation and surprised that the police had been able to locate him in the crowded shopping center using CCTV footage alone. Early reports described the man as “overjoyed” after the money was returned, and he reportedly praised the work of the Wat Phraya Krai officers and said the incident had strengthened his confidence in local law enforcement, adding that he considered tourists in Bangkok to be well protected.
No reward sought, case formally closed
Police stated that the two students did not ask for any reward, describing their conduct as swift, cooperative and exemplary. It was later confirmed that both live in the area and attend school there. The investigation was overseen by Pol. Col. Watit Rojanapaitoon, head of Wat Phraya Krai Police Station, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Krisana Chanprasert and Pol. Lt. Col. Warasathon Wakiatthana, and police said the chain of command and reporting procedures were fully observed.
Authorities highlight citizen–police cooperation
The case has now been closed and no further action is planned. Authorities emphasized that close cooperation between the public and the police was crucial to the swift resolution. Reflecting on the broader significance, commentary surrounding the incident asked what it says about a society when honesty is not an exception but a reflex, and whether more role models are needed rather than more laws.
“What does it say about a society when honesty is not the exception but the reflex? Do we need more laws – or more role models?”
said Thai Examiner, source commentary.