Officer apologised for eating fruit during mission
Image adapted from: Apichai Teh
After a gunman opened fire on 8th February 2020 in Korat’s Terminal 21 shopping mall and killed 29 people, heartbreak and sorrow spread across the nation quickly. But a glimpse of hope and positivity managed to shine through, even in this dark moment.
https://thesmartlocal.com/thailand/terminal-21-reopens/
The seller paid it forward
Last week, Mr. Apichai, a special detachment officer who took part in the rescue mission on the day of the shooting, shared a photo on his Facebook page, showing him standing with a fruit seller and her family.
It turns out that during the 17-hour mission, Mr. Apichai was so hungry that he decided to eat some rose-apples from one of the abandoned fruit stalls on the mall’s ground floor.
Image credit: Apichai Teh
“I came here to turn myself in,” Mr. Apichai wrote in his caption. He also tried to pay for the fruits he ate. But not only did the seller refuse to take his money, but she even gave him 2 big bags of guavas to share with other officers.
Other officers left money behind as payment
Apparently, Mr. Apichai was not the only officer who got hungry while on duty that night.
Mr. Siwat Ditsathaninphong, one of the sellers, shared a picture of him holding some money and a note left behind by officers who drank water and ate snacks from his booth.
Mr. Siwat holding money and a note that read, “we’re paying ฿500 for the water. -Officers”
Image credit: Siwat Ditsathaninphong
In his caption, Mr. Siwat said that he’ll donate all the money to the monks as a way to make good merit after the tragic incident.
We thank Mr. Apichai and the kind sellers for putting smiles on our faces in such a sullen time. Also, props to all the officers for risking their lives to save others.
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