The heartwarming return of the wallet to an unnamed Russian tourist was reported by TAC Phuket on Friday evening (Nov 3), shortly after the resolution of the situation.
TAC officers reported that at 1pm on Nov 3 their team at Phuket International Airport was informed by airport-based officers of Sakhu Police that a Russian man left his wallet at one of the immigration counters upon arrival to Phuket on Oct 31. The wallet remained yet to be found.
TAC officials began their search by interviewing the Russian man, who informed them that he had arrived with his wife and two kids around 2 pm. Upon arrival, he proceeded to clear immigration formalities and inadvertently left behind his "black 6-inch wallet."
The lost wallet contained USD4,500 (approximately B160,000) in cash, as well as the man’s bank cards, driving license, and customer cards.
Upon hearing the story, TAC officers reached out to Phuket Immigration officers at the airport. They were informed that nothing like a matching wallet had been found during the three days between Oct 31 and Nov 3.
Not satisfied and determined to resolve the situation, TAC officers reviewed CCTV camera footage in the International Arrivals Hall. The recordings clearly depicted the man approaching Phuket Immigration officers with his wallet, then placing it on the counter, and finally leaving without it.
With confidence in the tourist’s account of events, TAC officers and Tourist Police contacted Phuket Immigration once again. This time, they were informed that a "black 6-inch wallet" had indeed been found earlier.
“The discovered wallet was then handed over to the tourist, who thanked all involved officials for providing assistance in this situation,” TAC Phuket stated in their report.