RAYONG, Thailand — Ban Chang police rescued a toddler who became trapped alone inside a six-wheel passenger truck after the vehicle’s doors automatically locked while the child’s parent briefly stepped away. The incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, August 20, at a petrol station along Sukhumvit Road in Ban Chang district, Rayong.
Police Chief Pol. Col. Thanongsak Khammat instructed traffic officers and the Ban Chang Police Station technical unit to respond after being informed that a young child was trapped inside the vehicle. The child’s parent told officers that they had stopped to refuel and stepped out of the vehicle briefly to take care of an errand, leaving the toddler, believed to be just over one year old, inside alone. The engine was left running, but the doors suddenly locked automatically, trapping the child inside. Officers worked for more than 20 minutes before successfully opening the vehicle and bringing the child out safely.
Ban Chang police urged parents and caregivers never to leave young children unattended inside vehicles, even for a short period. Officers advised drivers to remove the keys whenever leaving a parked vehicle and stressed that unexpected incidents can happen at any time. The incident serves as another warning to parents that leaving children alone in vehicles can quickly turn into an emergency.
