Police have dismissed reports that a taxi driver dumped a foreign family with their baby and luggage on a Bangkok highway, saying the family chose to leave the taxi.
This photo has been circulated on just about every media source in Thailand. Authorities say the family was not dumped by a taxi, but left their van voluntarily.
It was widely reported on social media the taxi driver made the family get out of the vehicle after missing an exit on the expressway.
Pol Lt Col Surachat Suwannasri, deputy commander of the tourist police sub-division 6, said Highway Police had confirmed after an investigation and checking CCTV on the expressway that the family had boarded a passenger van in Sa Kaeo province destined for Khao San Road in Bangkok.
At the Asok 2 toll plaza, the van stopped so passengers could use the toilet.
The family told the driver they wanted to go to Sukhumvit 71 Road, but the driver told them they should go to Khao San Road first.
The family then decided to get out of the van and walk along the expressway until they reached an exit, which is when they were photographed.
Highway Police eventually removed the family from the expressway, Pol Lt Col Surachat said.
"I would like people who see the pictures and read the messages on social media to use their judgement and find out facts before jumping to conclusions or sharing pictures," Pol Lt Col Surachat said.
The picture was shared on Facebook last Tuesday, with a caption accusing an unnamed taxi driver of abandoning the foreign family on the expressway.
- Earlier report: Angry van driver to press charges
- The original story came from a Facebook post
The person who started the controversy with a Facebook photo has removed his original post.
Boonmee Rakdaeng, the van driver, confirmed on Monday it was the tourists' decision to leave the van and walk along the highway.
He told them he was not allowed to let them leave but they ignored him and took their bags, saying they wanted to catch another car to Sukhumvit.
Police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said officers would investigate to find out who took the photo, which has damaged the country's reputation among tourists.