Bt1 million in cash found in abandoned bed

Foundation founder Phra Payom Kallayano said yesterday: "We found the money in early 2006, and deposited it in a bank account and have tried to find its owner [without success]."

He said if the true owner or his or her legitimate heir failed to show up within a month, the money would fund the con-struction of a school building.

"Then, we will make merit in dedication to the owner," he said.

Phra Payom, who is the abbot of the Wat Suan Kaew, said he would not give details about the find, except that a lot of banknotes were found with a big gold necklace and a Buddha amulet.

"The person who is going to reclaim these assets must be able to provide details as to when the bed was donated and what had the money and gold necklace were contained in," Phra Payom said.

The famous preacher said it was often difficult to trace the owners of donated items as the foundation's trucks usually picked up items from various places on each trip.

Phra Payom believed the owner of the donated bed may have passed away and the new owner gave the bed away without checking what was inside the bed-head.

After receiving the bed, the foundation stored it together with various other donated items needing repair.

Following any repairs, donated items are usually sold and the proceeds spent on charitable causes.

"There have been many cases in which donors forgot some valuables, but most show up to reclaim their assets. We have been contact-ed by more than 50 owners in such cases," Phra Payom said.

Asked what these owners came to pick up, the monk said: "Money, necklaces, Buddha amulets and even ammunition."

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation