Here is an exchange of emails (we took out the identifying info) between us and a woman who lost her waist pack with all her valuable cards, money, and ID in it. Remarkably (miracle?) we were able to get it back for her with some social media posts about lost Phuket items and some phone calls to places in Phuket that we thought could help. Enjoy!
If you lost something traveling in Phuket, Thailand – Use Our Form >
Email 1: Andrea to LostFoundThailand.com
Subject: Lost Waist Pack on Phuket to Ko Phi Phi Ferry Dear LostFoundThailand.com, My name is Andrea, and I’m reaching out in desperation, hoping you can help me recover a waist pack I lost during a recent trip to Thailand. My friends and I had been planning this dream vacation for over a year, saving up to explore the stunning beaches and vibrant culture of Thailand. I don’t have a lot of money!
We landed in Bangkok, spent a few days soaking in the chaos of Khao San Road, then headed south to Phuket for the island-hopping adventure of a lifetime. The plan was to visit the Ko Phi Phi Islands, a place I’d seen in countless Instagram posts with its turquoise waters and limestone cliffs. It was supposed to be the highlight of our trip, but now it’s a memory tainted by my carelessness.
On the morning of January 15, 2025, we were in Phuket, buzzing with excitement. The night before, we’d gone a bit wild at a beach bar in Patong, sipping cocktails and dancing to techno beats under fairy lights. I’ll admit, I had a few too many mango daiquiris and wasn’t exactly sharp when we stumbled back to our hostel at 2 a.m.
The next morning, bleary-eyed but thrilled, we grabbed our bags and headed to the Rassada Pier to catch the ferry to Ko Phi Phi. I was wearing my trusty waist pack, a small black one with a plastic clasp that I’d bought cheap online. It wasn’t fancy, but it held everything important: my passport, phone, bank cards, and about 12,000 THB in cash for the island stay.
On the ferry, we were all in high spirits, laughing and snapping photos of the Andaman Sea sparkling under the sun. I was distracted, caught up in the moment, and didn’t notice that the clasp on my waist pack felt loose. It had been finicky before, but I thought it would hold. I was wrong. Somewhere between boarding the ferry and arriving at Ko Phi Phi, the clasp must have given way. I didn’t even realize the pack was gone until we were at the hotel on the island, and I reached for my phone to take a picture of the beach. My heart sank. I tore through my backpack, asked my friends, and retraced my steps in a panic, but it was no use.
The waist pack was gone, likely slipped off during the ferry ride, maybe when I was leaning over the railing to take a selfie or jostling through the crowd to disembark. I’m devastated. That pack had everything I needed to continue my trip smoothly—my ID, my money, my connection to the world.
My friends helped me get by for the rest of the trip, but I felt like such an idiot. We still managed to enjoy Ko Phi Phi’s beaches and snorkeling, but the loss hung over me like a cloud. I’m reaching out to you because I heard your organization has a knack for finding lost items in Thailand. I’m hoping against hope that someone turned in my waist pack, maybe at the ferry terminal or on the boat itself. I’m willing to pay any fees for your help and even offer a reward if it’s found. Please, let me know what you need from me to start the search.
Thank you,
Andrea
Email 2: Lek at LostFoundThailand.com to Andrea
Subject: Re: Lost Waist Pack on Phuket to Ko Phi Phi Ferry Dear Andrea, Thank you for contacting LostFoundThailand.com. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your waist pack during your trip to the Ko Phi Phi Islands. I understand how distressing this must be, and we’ll do everything we can to assist you in recovering your belongings. To begin the investigation, we need some specific details to narrow down the search and increase our chances of success. Could you please provide the following information:
- The exact date and time of the ferry you took from Rassada Pier, Phuket, to Ko Phi Phi (e.g., ferry operator, departure time)?
- A detailed description of the waist pack (brand, color, size, any distinguishing marks)?
- A list of all items inside the pack, including any specific details (e.g., phone model, passport number if known, type of bank cards)?
- Where on the ferry you were seated or standing when you last recall having the pack?
- Your current location and the best way to contact you (phone, email, or other means)?
- Any additional details about the incident, such as specific moments you remember handling the pack or interactions with others on the ferry?
Once we have this information, we can contact the ferry operator, check with the Rassada Pier and Ko Phi Phi ferry terminals, and post inquiries on local social media groups. Our team has successfully reunited many travelers with their lost items, so please don’t lose hope. There is a standard fee of 600 THB (about $18) to initiate the investigation, which covers outreach efforts and coordination with local authorities. I sent you the link for the Stripe payment already. Thank you for your trust in us, and I look forward to your response with the requested details.
Best regards,
Lek
LostFoundThailand.com
Email 3: Andrea to Lek
Subject: Re: Lost Waist Pack on Phuket to Ko Phi Phi Ferry Dear Lek, Thank you so much for your quick response and willingness to help. I’m currently back in Germany, feeling so sad but hopefule after your email. I lost my phone in the waist pack, so I’ve been relying on my laptop to communicate. Here are the details you requested:
- Ferry Details: I took the ferry from Rassada Pier, Phuket, to Ko Phi Phi on January 15, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. It was operated by Phi Phi Cruiser, I believe.
- Waist Pack Description: It’s a small black nylon waist pack, about 20 cm long, with a single zipper and a plastic clasp. The clasp was cheap and slightly cracked, which is probably why it failed. No special marks, just a basic design.
- Items Inside: My German passport (I don’t recall the number, as I’ve applied for a replacement), an iPhone 12, two bank cards (Visa and Mastercard), about 12,000 THB in cash, a small notebook with travel notes, and a pair of earbuds.
- Location on Ferry: I was on the upper deck, near the railing on the left side, taking photos. I moved around a lot, so it could’ve fallen off anywhere.
- Current Location/Contact: I’m in Munich, Germany. You can reach me via this email. I don’t have a phone yet but can provide a friend’s number if needed.
I’m devastated about losing everything, especially my passport and phone, which made the rest of the trip a logistical nightmare. I’m willing to offer a 5,000 THB reward extra to anyone who returns the pack, and I’ll pay your 600 THB fee immediately to start the investigation. Please send payment instructions again because I don’t see that other emiail. I’m crossing my fingers that someone honest found it and turned it in. Thank you for giving me hope!
Best,
Andrea
Email 4: Lek to Andrea
Subject: Update: Your Lost Waist Pack Dear Andrea, I’m thrilled to share some promising news! After extensive efforts, including numerous calls to the ferry operator and posts on local Phuket and Ko Phi Phi social media groups, we’ve tracked down your waist pack. It was turned in to the lost and found office at Rassada Pier by a ferry staff member who found it near the upper deck railing after your trip on January 15. To proceed with returning the pack to you in Germany, the ferry office requires verification of your identity to ensure the items are released to the rightful owner. Please provide the following:
- A recent photo of yourself.
- A copy of your new passport (or any government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license).
- Any additional details about the contents of the pack that could help confirm it’s yours (e.g., specific notes in the notebook).
Once we receive these, we’ll coordinate with the ferry office to verify and arrange shipping to Munich. The shipping cost will depend on the method you prefer, and we’ll provide details once confirmed. Thank you for paying the investigation fee promptly—it helped us act quickly. We’re optimistic about reuniting you with your belongings soon!
Best regards,
Lek
LostFoundThailand.com
Email 5: Andrea to Lek
Subject: THANK YOU!!! Dear Lek, I can’t believe it! I’m sitting here in tears of joy, absolutely overwhelmed that you found my waist pack! When I lost it, I thought it was gone forever, sunk to the bottom of the Andaman Sea or picked up by someone who wouldn’t bother returning it. Your team’s dedication has restored my faith in humanity. I’m attaching a recent photo of myself and a copy of my new passport. I also have my driver’s license if you need it—just let me know. For the notebook, it’s a small blue one with a list of beaches I wanted to visit (like Maya Bay and Long Beach) and some doodles of fish on the first page. I’m happy to cover any shipping costs to get the pack back to Munich. Just tell me how to proceed. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can’t wait to hold my passport and phone again and put this whole ordeal behind me. You and your team are absolute heroes. I’ll be singing LostFoundThailand.com’s praises to everyone I know!
With so many thanks!
Andrea
If you lost something traveling in Phuket, Thailand – Use Our Form >