A motorcycle taxi driver in Pathum Thani, Thailand, experienced a remarkable stroke of luck after discovering valuable items at a flea market for a mere 150 baht. These seemingly ordinary finds, purchased from a second-hand stall near the railway line in Rangsit, were later identified as genuine silver and gold, netting him a substantial payout of 104,725 baht.
Unexpected Treasure Unearthed
Chokcherd Duangngern, a 45-year-old motorcycle taxi rider, was accompanying his girlfriend on August 28 when they visited the Mangkorn Lom Thong gold shop in Thanyaburi district. He brought with him a tarnished silver box, which cost 100 baht, and a bracelet that appeared to be costume jewelry, bought for 50 baht. Both items were acquired from a flea market known for its affordable second-hand goods.
Upon examination by the gold shop’s staff, the items revealed their true worth. The silver box, weighing 156.88 grams, was confirmed as genuine silver and purchased by the shop for 9,844 baht. The bracelet, initially mistaken for imitation jewelry, turned out to be made of gold with an estimated purity of 80-90%. Its 24.30 grams were valued at 94,881 baht, bringing the total sum received by Chokcherd to 104,725 baht.
A Fortunate Turn of Events
The discovery came at a particularly opportune moment for Chokcherd. Shortly before this windfall, his own motorcycle had been stolen, forcing him to rely on his mother’s older, less reliable bike to continue his work. The unexpected financial gain allowed him to purchase a new motorcycle, replacing the one that was taken.
“When we found out, my girlfriend and I both had tears in our eyes,” Chokcherd recounted, describing the emotional impact of the discovery. The moment of revelation was captured by the gold shop, which later shared a video clip online. The story gained further attention when Channel 3 interviewed Chokcherd on September 13.
The Importance of Diligent Appraisal
Chokcherd attributed his good fortune not only to luck but also to the thoroughness of the gold shop’s appraisal process. He noted that many gold shops might quickly dismiss such items without a proper check. However, the staff at Mangkorn Lom Thong meticulously tested both the box and the bracelet using a metal tester.
Sirask Butchai, a goldsmith at the shop, confirmed that Chokcherd is a regular customer who often brings in items like silver rings and chains from weekend markets. While the silver box was visibly identifiable, the bracelet’s appearance did not immediately suggest it was gold. “The shop tests every piece regardless,” Sirask stated. He explained that when the initial test indicated gold, they performed a second test after Chokcherd scratched through the surface to ensure accuracy. The second test confirmed the bracelet was indeed real gold.
A Continued Passion for Treasure Hunting
Despite the significant success, Chokcherd plans to continue his hobby of searching for old items at markets. He now equips himself with an amulet loupe on his excursions, enabling him to look for hallmarks that might indicate precious metal content. This practice has proven beneficial in the past; on one occasion, he purchased an old pen clip stamped “13K” for just 10 baht. Upon taking it to the same gold shop, it was identified as silver and sold for over 1,000 baht.
This experience highlights how valuable items can sometimes be overlooked or undervalued, and the importance of careful inspection and testing when dealing with second-hand goods that might contain hidden treasures.
