Dreams come true: 70-year-old grandfather saw the sea for the first time (3 photos + 1 video)
Once upon a time there lived a 70-year-old practically penniless Thai man who, like the hero of the film “Knockin' on Heaven's Door,” had never seen the sea. And so he was so determined that he got on his old motorcycle with a sidecar and drove more than 600 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani to the island of Koh Chang! 
The story of 70-year-old Loi Tapila became famous when a reporter in Isaan province met him relaxing at a gas station on March 7th.
Loi said he left the house on March 3 with only 200 baht in cash in his pockets. Along the way, he collected plastic bottles and other recyclable trash and sold them to buy food, drinks and gas.
He mostly slept at gas stations because it was safer and there were restrooms where he could shower. 
There was a sign attached to his motorcycle:
"I'm an old man on my way from Ubon Ratchathani to Trat. I collect trash along the way to earn money for the trip. Any support is welcome! Thank you."
After divorcing his wife, he lives alone, and his children have moved away.
And then a fairy tale happened: not only the sea, but a whole banquet with seafood and five-star hotels awaited the old man! 
How so?
Loi's story simply resonated so widely on Thai social media that gas station workers and locals supported him throughout his journey until his arrival in Trat on March 8.
He received a free ferry ride from the province's mainland to Koh Chang.
One seafood restaurant owner, 58-year-old Pichit Wongpaikorn, offered Loi a welcome dinner.
The old man stayed on the island for three days and received free accommodation at two five-star hotels, Marina Sands Resort Koh Chang and Aiyapura Resort!
A very touching story, which at the same time highlights the problems in the country - only 5% of the elderly population in Thailand have earned enough to leave some wealth for themselves in retirement, the rest are forced to work and then either rely on their children and relatives.
