A restaurant owner in the United States is being praised for his honesty after returning $12,000 (about R215,000) in cash that he discovered hidden inside an old toolbox left behind by the previous owner of the business.
Sak Yiengjuntuek, who recently took ownership of Lemongrass Pho & Thai Cuisine in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, made the unexpected discovery while clearing out unwanted equipment left on the property.
As he prepared to dispose of several old tool chests, curiosity prompted him to open one of them. Inside, he found a sunglasses case containing neatly stacked $100 notes.
"I saw the sunglasses case and, of course, when you see something like that, you want to open it and look," Yiengjuntuek recalled. "I was so shocked. I knew right then that it belonged to the previous owner."
Determined to return the money, Yiengjuntuek tried contacting the former owner using the phone number he had on record, but discovered it had been disconnected.
Unsure how else to locate him, Yiengjuntuek shared his story with a local television station in the hope that the rightful owner would see the report.
During a live television interview, he suddenly remembered that he had another contact number for the former owner saved under a different name. He immediately called the number on air and was relieved when the man answered.
"I have some good news for you," Yiengjuntuek told him before explaining that he had found the missing cash.
Local media later reported that the former owner had been dealing with serious health challenges, making the recovery of the money even more meaningful.
Yiengjuntuek's act of integrity has earned widespread praise from the Myrtle Beach community, with many commending him for choosing honesty over personal gain.
Reflecting on the experience, he said he hopes his actions will encourage others to always do the right thing.
"I just want to say: Do the right thing. Don't give up honesty," he said.