Pol Sergeant Akradej Makasen, 35, said he left the engine running and the air conditioner on so his daughter, Namfon, could sleep comfortably. The doors were also left unlocked.

The child often stayed in his pickup in the parking lot of Lat Krabang Police Station while he was working the night shift and his wife was selling food from a push cart about 40 metres away, he said.

While the pickup was driven through the streets of the city, his daughter slept soundly through it all, oblivious to what was happening, he said.

"Even after they stopped the vehicle and took the guy away, she was still sleeping. I didn't tell her about the incident since I didn't want to scare her," he said.

The 12-year veteran said he had to help his wife, Pathumwan, 26, run a food hawking business outside his police service hours to make extra money to supplement his meagre salary. His wife has been selling Isaan food at night near the police station for four years. The family lives in an apartment about 10 kilometres from Akradej's station. Namfon's 18-month-old brother has been placed in the care of Pathumwan's parents in the northeastern province of Surin.

"I can't say how glad I am to have my child and car back. I will never leave her in the car again. I will likely have to ask a neighbour to help look after her while my wife and I go out to work," he said.

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation