A truly heartwarming story: three American siblings traveled across continents to find a man named “Mr. Phun,” who saved their family during the Vietnam War. People in Ubon Ratchathani helped search until discovering he was still alive.
On 26 Jan 2026 GMT+7, a reporter shared this touching story. Around early December 2025, three American siblings—Mr. Raul Larmeir Buttland, 66; Ms. Lisa Lee Powell Gould, 63; and Mr. Mark James Buttland, 62—came to Ubon Ratchathani Province. They asked the reporter to help find “Mr. Phun,” full name unknown, surname Pongsaree. The three said Mr. Phun was their benefactor who saved their lives during the Vietnam War in 1971, 54 years ago.
Mr. Mark revealed that his father, Kenneth, was a soldier in the U.S. Army and a television news announcer for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. In 1971, he was assigned to serve in Ubon Ratchathani Province, so Mark and his family moved there to be with him.
Mark further explained that Kenneth met Mr. Phun and his family in Ubon Ratchathani. Mr. Phun helped their family by finding them a place to stay and taking care of them throughout their 13 months in Ubon before they returned to the United States.
Mark said that once, when he and his family were honored guests at a wedding in Laos, some Viet Cong men confronted them and tried to attack with knives. Mr. Phun intervened, pulling the family away from the danger. His wife then hid Mark’s family in a nearby temple. After the Viet Cong left, Mr. Phun quickly helped them escape Laos. The next morning, the Viet Cong returned to search for and kill Mark’s family, but they had already fled. This was the first instance of Mr. Phun saving their lives.
After returning to Ubon Ratchathani, Mark’s family had to move again to avoid the Viet Cong, who discovered their location. Mr. Phun helped them rent a new house and enroll in a private school in Ubon Ratchathani city. Being a boxer himself, Mr. Phun taught them Muay Thai for self-defense.
In 1972, Mark and his family returned to the U.S. and lost contact with Mr. Phun’s family. After the deaths of their parents, the three siblings still remembered and cared deeply for Mr. Phun’s family. After 53 years, they decided to return to Ubon Ratchathani to find Mr. Phun and repay their debt of gratitude, though they feared it would be difficult as he might no longer be alive.
Upon hearing their story, the reporter gathered volunteers and interpreters to search for the rented home for three days. They then learned from Ms. Pisitaya Chaisongkram, Mayor of Ubon Ratchathani City, that Mr. Phun was alive at age 80, living in Kantharom District, Sisaket Province. A video call between Mr. Phun and the three American siblings confirmed his identity. All were joyful and traveled to meet Mr. Phun at his home in Sisaket.
When the three American siblings arrived at Mr. Phun’s home, they recognized each other despite more than 50 years passing. Both families were overwhelmed with joy and tears. Mr. Phun’s family welcomed them by tying traditional Isan-style wristbands. They spent some time talking before parting ways, planning to bring Mr. Phun for medical checkups to treat his cataracts and hearing loss.
Mr. Mark said his family never forgot Mr. Phun. They always remembered his kindness and regarded him as a brother to their father. That motivated their search. He expressed gratitude and regret for the 53 years lost but emphasized they never forgot Mr. Phun. He thanked the people of Ubon Ratchathani for their warm support, recalling that year as the best of his life.
On this return after 53 years, Mark said he did not know if they would find what they were seeking or what to expect. However, the Thai spirit in Ubon remains unchanged, he felt. He was confident in this feeling, saying it felt like family, like home.
The three siblings expressed deep appreciation for all the Thai people who helped them find Mr. Phun. Initially, they doubted success, as it seemed nearly impossible after so many years. They weren’t even sure how to spell his surname or if the one they had was correct. Eventually, they learned they called him “Phun,” his original name, but he now goes by “Khwan.” The chance of finding him was nearly zero, but they were very fortunate to succeed.
Mark recalled that when he learned they had found Mr. Phun, he was lying in a hospital bed with a broken leg. The mayor brought him a phone, and it was Mr. Phun on the line. The moment he saw his face, he immediately recognized him. It was a deeply emotional moment after 53 years without seeing that face. His siblings also recognized him instantly. That was when they knew their search had succeeded.
They described Mr. Phun as truly remarkable. They had the opportunity to reunite and repay his kindness during their time in Ubon Ratchathani. They have now arranged for Mr. Phun to have medical examinations and treatment for his vision, hearing, and other chronic conditions.
Mr. Phun recounted meeting Mark’s father while stationed at Ubon Airport during the Vietnam War. At the time, Mr. Phun worked as a tricycle driver. Mark’s father invited him to work with the family, as Mark and his siblings were still children. Mr. Phun took care of them, providing food and water.
Mr. Phun expressed great happiness and pride that the three siblings never forgot him and came back after so many decades. He never expected they would return to search, especially since he had moved to Kantharom District, Sisaket Province, while Mark and his brother searched in Ubon Ratchathani for a week before finding him. When they met, they embraced and cried with joy. Mr. Phun thanked everyone who helped in the search, enabling their reunion.
