Good citizen student returns millions of baht to owner, dreams of becoming a professional tour guide

Sripathum University has awarded a full-time undergraduate scholarship to Ms. Suthalinee Sae Tan , or Nong Pop, a 17-year-old student at the Lopburi College of Dramatic Arts who made headlines for being a good citizen who collected 3.7 million baht with a motorcycle taxi driver and returned it to the police to return to its owner earlier this year.

The company that owns the money gave the prize money through the governor of Lopburi Province, 100,000 baht per person. When the governor of Lopburi asked Nong Pop what he would do with the money, he said he would use it to continue his education to a bachelor’s degree. He wants to study in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, majoring in tourism and hotels at Sripatum University. He dreams of becoming a tour guide. When Sripatum University heard the news, they immediately contacted the governor of Lopburi Province to provide him with a scholarship to support his education throughout the course.

Dr. Ratchaneeporn Phukayaporn Phukkaman, President of Sripathum University, revealed that “We have received coordination from the Governor of Lopburi regarding the desire to continue her undergraduate studies at Sripathum University by Ms. Suthalinee, who did a good deed by picking up 3.7 million baht in cash and sending it to the police to return it to its owner. The university has a policy of supporting good people, so we have provided a scholarship to continue her undergraduate studies in the faculty and field of study that meets the needs of this good citizen student. We would like to thank this good citizen student for trusting us, believing in our potential, and choosing to study at our Sripathum University.”

Suthalinee revealed her feelings on receiving the scholarship, saying, “The reason I picked up the money and sent it to the police to return it to its owner this time was because I thought the money was not mine. I felt sorry for the owner and thought about how he would feel. If it were me, I would have been in great trouble. I did not expect anything in return for this, I just wanted to return the money to its owner. I am very happy and proud that Sripathum University gave me the scholarship after this incident because it greatly helped ease my family’s burden. Before receiving this scholarship, I intended to apply to study here only for my bachelor’s degree in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, majoring in Tourism and Hotel Management. The reason I chose to study in this major was because I wanted to be a tour guide, which has been my dream since I was a child. I also like using English. The reason I chose to study at Sripathum University is because it is a famous university. I also know about the reputation of the teachers and the curriculum. In addition, the location is on a main road, making it convenient to travel. I would like to thank Sripathum University for giving me this opportunity and supporting this scholarship.”

Ms. Sam-ang Phuphakdi, the mother of the good citizen student, said, “Pop is the youngest of three siblings. He is a well-behaved child, studies hard, likes to participate in various school activities, and has good academic results with a GPA of 3.7. Whenever he does something, he is determined and serious. He also helps with housework and helps sell things after school. As for raising children, we try to teach them to study hard, be good people, and not cause trouble for anyone. I would like to thank Sripathum University for granting this scholarship.”