Report Toddler Rescued After 30 Minutes Locked in SUV at Gas Station

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of CH 7

 

A one-year-old girl found herself at the centre of a dramatic rescue intervention after being inadvertently locked inside a white SUV at a PTT gas station in Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima, this Friday.

 

The toddler was stuck inside for over 30 tense minutes while the alarmed parents scrambled for a solution. The anxious scene unfolded when the girl's parents, stepping away briefly to use the restroom, returned to discover their child had accidentally hit the lock button.

 

A quick-thinking attendant at the gas station was pivotal in this rescue, immediately alerting the Phimai Rescue Unit. With the clock ticking, the rescuers arrived armed with special tools and carefully pried open the car's window near the control panel.

 

After a nail-biting 20 minutes, the rescuers managed to free the little girl unharmed, much to the relief and gratefulness of her anxious parents.

 

The fortunate end of this potentially dangerous situation had onlookers heaving a sigh of relief. Parents expressed their gratitude, acknowledging that the toddler had inadvertently locked herself in, highlighting the importance of vigilance.

 

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of locking mechanisms and the need for constant attention around young children.

 

Despite a frightful period, the incident concluded without any harm to the child, emphasising the effectiveness and urgency of the rescue team.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-14

 

 

[newbee2022]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of CH 7

 

A one-year-old girl found herself at the centre of a dramatic rescue intervention after being inadvertently locked inside a white SUV at a PTT gas station in Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima, this Friday.

 

The toddler was stuck inside for over 30 tense minutes while the alarmed parents scrambled for a solution. The anxious scene unfolded when the girl's parents, stepping away briefly to use the restroom, returned to discover their child had accidentally hit the lock button.

 

A quick-thinking attendant at the gas station was pivotal in this rescue, immediately alerting the Phimai Rescue Unit. With the clock ticking, the rescuers arrived armed with special tools and carefully pried open the car's window near the control panel.

 

After a nail-biting 20 minutes, the rescuers managed to free the little girl unharmed, much to the relief and gratefulness of her anxious parents.

 

The fortunate end of this potentially dangerous situation had onlookers heaving a sigh of relief. Parents expressed their gratitude, acknowledging that the toddler had inadvertently locked herself in, highlighting the importance of vigilance.

 

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of locking mechanisms and the need for constant attention around young children.

 

Despite a frightful period, the incident concluded without any harm to the child, emphasising the effectiveness and urgency of the rescue team.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-14

 

 

Good that's raining season. Not too hot. 

[richard_smith237]

Careless stupidity of the parents (plural - as reported) both left a 1 year old in the car unattended...   

 

Such abandonment reflects a profound and inexcusable level of negligence by both parents.

 

It often astonishes me here (but also in the UK) the extreme levels of complete disregard and carelessness shown by some parents.

[Beerzy65]

Its strange how Thailand's safety laws don't include the car's locking mechanism is disabled if the key is in the car lock

[PETERTHEEATER]

Why could the car not be unlocked using the remote or key carried by the parent?

[richard_smith237]

Just now, PETERTHEEATER said:

Why could the car not be unlocked using the remote or key carried by the parent?

 

.....because they were stupid and careless enough to also leave the keys inside the car with a 1 year old child....  

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, Beerzy65 said:

Its strange how Thailand's safety laws don't include the car's locking mechanism is disabled if the key is in the car lock

 

.... this comment doesn't seem to make any sense... 

 

 

Cars are no longer locked / unlocked with a key, but with a remote keyfob... 

 

Any older cars that use a key pre-date any auto-locking tech.

 

 

 

 

[loong]

32 minutes ago, Beerzy65 said:

Its strange how Thailand's safety laws don't include the car's locking mechanism is disabled if the key is in the car lock

Maybe some people want to lock the doors for safety, ie against car-jackings etc.

[quake]

Lazy, idiot parents.

Both did not need to go to the toilet at the same time.

Leaving the child in the car alone.

[Iron Tongue]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

The toddler was stuck inside for over 30 tense minutes while the alarmed parents scrambled for a solution. The anxious scene unfolded when the girl's parents, stepping away briefly to use the restroom, returned to discover their child had accidentally hit the lock button.

 

A quick-thinking attendant at the gas station was pivotal in this rescue, immediately alerting the Phimai Rescue Unit. With the clock ticking, the rescuers arrived armed with special tools and carefully pried open the car's window near the control panel.

 

After a nail-biting 20 minutes, the rescuers managed to free the little girl unharmed, much to the relief and gratefulness of her anxious parents.

 

Seriously?  It took 30-minutes to get the kid out?  This needed a rescue squad and specialized equipment?

...

They were at a service station fer chrissakes!

 

 

[Surasak]

As has been said many, many times, "There is no cure for stupidity." Problem being, there is far to much of it about.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

The toddler was stuck inside for over 30 tense minutes while the alarmed parents scrambled for a solution.

5 seconds and a broken window... stop buggering about worrying about expense.

[arick]

What took them that long it should be able to crack the door in 2 minutes

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, loong said:

Maybe some people want to lock the doors for safety, ie against car-jackings etc.

 

And against kidnap. 

[Barnet1900]

I saw a woman driving an electric bike today, with her 2 year old daughter sitting, NOT on the seat at the rear, but in the footwell at her mum's feet. Her feet were dangling just above the road surface and it was at 18.40 in a busy area.

 

Some people don't deserve to have children. 

[quake]

20 minutes ago, Barnet1900 said:

I saw a woman driving an electric bike today, with her 2 year old daughter sitting, NOT on the seat at the rear, but in the footwell at her mum's feet. Her feet were dangling just above the road surface and it was at 18.40 in a busy area.

 

Some people don't deserve to have children. 

Most just see kids as a pension fund.

One dies just go make some more.

TIT.

[scorecard]

8 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

And against kidnap. 

Kidnap, yes it does happen. There's about 1 toddler / small child disappears and never found every day in Thailand. 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

10 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

And against kidnap. 

Kidnap, yes it does happen. There's about 1 toddler / small child disappears and never found every day in Thailand. 

 

Wow... thats frightening....    any verifiable? link ? - thats a massive concern for any parent.

 

 

[Captor]

On 6/13/2025 at 11:11 PM, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of CH 7

 

A one-year-old girl found herself at the centre of a dramatic rescue intervention after being inadvertently locked inside a white SUV at a PTT gas station in Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima, this Friday.

 

The toddler was stuck inside for over 30 tense minutes while the alarmed parents scrambled for a solution. The anxious scene unfolded when the girl's parents, stepping away briefly to use the restroom, returned to discover their child had accidentally hit the lock button.

 

A quick-thinking attendant at the gas station was pivotal in this rescue, immediately alerting the Phimai Rescue Unit. With the clock ticking, the rescuers arrived armed with special tools and carefully pried open the car's window near the control panel.

 

After a nail-biting 20 minutes, the rescuers managed to free the little girl unharmed, much to the relief and gratefulness of her anxious parents.

 

The fortunate end of this potentially dangerous situation had onlookers heaving a sigh of relief. Parents expressed their gratitude, acknowledging that the toddler had inadvertently locked herself in, highlighting the importance of vigilance.

 

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of locking mechanisms and the need for constant attention around young children.

 

Despite a frightful period, the incident concluded without any harm to the child, emphasising the effectiveness and urgency of the rescue team.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-14

 

 

Again...?

[fredwiggy]

How did a one year old get out of her car seat and walk to the door to lock it? Oh wait!

[portisaacozzy]

On 6/14/2025 at 4:11 AM, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of CH 7

 

A one-year-old girl found herself at the centre of a dramatic rescue intervention after being inadvertently locked inside a white SUV at a PTT gas station in Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima, this Friday.

 

The toddler was stuck inside for over 30 tense minutes while the alarmed parents scrambled for a solution. The anxious scene unfolded when the girl's parents, stepping away briefly to use the restroom, returned to discover their child had accidentally hit the lock button.

 

A quick-thinking attendant at the gas station was pivotal in this rescue, immediately alerting the Phimai Rescue Unit. With the clock ticking, the rescuers arrived armed with special tools and carefully pried open the car's window near the control panel.

 

After a nail-biting 20 minutes, the rescuers managed to free the little girl unharmed, much to the relief and gratefulness of her anxious parents.

 

The fortunate end of this potentially dangerous situation had onlookers heaving a sigh of relief. Parents expressed their gratitude, acknowledging that the toddler had inadvertently locked herself in, highlighting the importance of vigilance.

 

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of locking mechanisms and the need for constant attention around young children.

 

Despite a frightful period, the incident concluded without any harm to the child, emphasising the effectiveness and urgency of the rescue team.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-14

 

 

thats proved what i have always believed,cars are more important to children than children. Any other country the window would be smashed and the baby pulled out

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Wow... thats frightening....    any verifiable? link ? - thats a massive concern for any parent.

 

 

 

Many countries the same or even worse numbers.

 

There's a case in my Thai daughter in law's family. Her aunt lost a female toddler (her only child) to kidnap perhaps now 25 years ago.

 

The mother and father are still searching today. They confide in 1 or 2 family members but avoid the rest of their family, because there's always very upsetting comments (like, "do you think she got taken by a child sex ring to be sold as a child prostitute?"

 

Reality is the police did some searching  for a couple of days after she disappeared then no further police action. 

 

The child's mother and father have avoided all family functions since the disappearance. They do occasionally visit my Thai daughter in law's mother who is a good listener, always compassionate, not likely to make silly / upsetting comments and years back the distraught parents shared comments made by the police (e.g. 'at least one child per day ... never found...).

 

Another stupid braindead family member tried to give the distraught parents one of their children and kept forcing the child to sit on the lap of the very upset mother, and even came unexpectedly and left the child and drove away, all causing even further upset. Another braindead relative kept saying suggested 'have another child quickly'. Reality is that they haven't had another child for fear the new child will also be kidnapped.

 

Much earlier at a family funeral one idiot said 'you must have upset someone and they stole your kid to punish you and you don't know if you child is alive or dead or lying on her back and forced to have sex, or dead'.

 

There's unfortunately no answer. 

[Watawattana]

My mate Dave down the pub could have been in that car in seconds.  More likely to "rescue" the car radio and and any valuables of course... 🤪

[WorriedNoodle]

Even a brief absence like both parents using the restroom simultaneously would typically be considered negligent under most child protection laws, especially with such a young child. The fact that the child managed to lock themselves in demonstrates exactly why these laws exist in most countries - young children can inadvertently create dangerous situations very quickly.

When we had young children in Thailand the thought of ever leaving them unattended for a moment was unimaginable though I doubt the laws cover such idiocy by the parents judging by the news report that does not even broach the subject.

[scorecard]

36 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

My mate Dave down the pub could have been in that car in seconds.  More likely to "rescue" the car radio and and any valuables of course... 🤪

I guess breaking a side window or the windscreen can be very fast with a heavy weight. Just 1 second, and open the door. 

[scorecard]

Just now, scorecard said:

I guess breaking a side window or the windscreen can be very fast with a heavy weight. Just 1 second, and open the door.

 

But could be quite frightening for a toddler / small kid especially if the child is not yet able to comprehend the verbal words and situation.

 

Hopefully the person breaking the glass has selected a window as far away from the kid / toddler as possible. And someone is talking through the glass to the kid to keep their attention away from the breaking glass activity as much as possible.  

 

[watchcat]

22 hours ago, quake said:

Both did not need to go to the toilet at the same time.

Leaving the child in the car alone.

 this could actually hapen at home when both parents need to do no: 2 at the toilet at night time. Im talking after a shrimp buffe or the like

[impulse]

11 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 this could actually hapen at home when both parents need to do no: 2 at the toilet at night time. Im talking after a shrimp buffe or the like

 

Lord help me, you just reminded me of a night back when I was a kid when Mom, Dad and all 5 of us kids got food poisoning at the same time in our small house with 1-1/2 baths.  Both ends.  Even the bathtub and wastecans got a workout that night. 

 

Regarding the OP, no need to panic since breaking out a window was always the 10 second option.  I'm glad they didn't have to...

 

[watchcat]

10 minutes ago, impulse said:

Lord help me, you just reminded me of a night back when I was a kid when Mom, Dad and all 5 of us kids got food poisoning at the same time in our small house with 1-1/2 baths.  Both ends.  Even the bathtub and wastecans got a workout that night. 

 Sounds dreadful.

[impulse]

3 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 Sounds dreadful.

 

It was on the day.  But it's one of those timeless family stories we still laugh at, even 6 decades later.

 

I couldn't eat vanilla ice cream for years after that.  Or canned corn.