A taxi driver used an SOS hand gesture he learned from TikTok to signal police for help after seeing his passenger was armed and on drugs.
The incident occurred after Tanongsak Liangsa was hailed by a 23-year-old man in the Mor Chit area, asking to drop him off in the Phetkasem area.
However, the man seemed unable to make up his mind, changing his preferred destination several times, to Ratchaburi and then Rayong.
Mr Tanongsak told reporters the passenger first told him he was a police officer before claiming he had run away from home.
The driver said he then saw the passenger handling the drug crystal ice in the car. Near Ban Chang in Rayong, the man suddenly brandished a gun and handcuffs.
In fear, Mr Tanongsak kept driving as ordered before he tricked the passenger by saying he needed to go to the toilet at a petrol station.
It was then Mr Tanongsak drove to Ban Bueng police station in Chon Buri. Upon arriving, he made the hand gesture picked up from social media platform TikTok.
In response, police officers rushed to the vehicle, rescued him and arrested the man.
Police seized a BB gun, pocket knife, set of handcuffs, four mobile phones, flashlight, wristwatch and two leather bags from the man. A urine test later revealed traces of narcotics.
Mr Tanongsak said police gave him 300 baht to cover his fuel costs.
