TRAT - Hospitable local police, villagers and a van driver helped a penniless Russian woman who had spent all her money on Koh Chang island get to Bangkok and reunite with her friends.
The woman was seen by local people walking alone along the road from a ferry pier at Ao Thammachat bay in Laem Ngop district on Wednesday last week.
They went to a police booth and informed Pol Lt Mana Phetphong, an inspector at Khao Saming.
He said he went looking and found her, and contacted soldiers and officials at Trat airport to arrange for help.
The tourist, identified as Irina Gareeva, 24, explained she had visited Koh Chang with four friends. They had left three days earlier, but she still had some money left and decided to stay on longer. She spent all her money.
She had managed to return to the mainland but had no money to buy a bus ticket, so she had decided to walk.
At first she refused any assistance, but police and soldiers insisted on driving along beside her to ensure her safety. Tourist police then arranged for a Russian interpreter, who finally convinced the woman to accept assistance.
Pol Lt Mana said he took her to his supervisor and they arranged accommodation for her at a local hotel.
The following day, March 3, Ms Gareeva said she would like to join up with her friends who were staying at a hotel in Bangkok's Silom area.
Police took her to a passenger van bound for Bangkok and gave her 500 baht for food and beverages.
The van driver did not charge her for the trip.