The outcry over a five-month-old baby supposedly put up for sale in an online advert is a misunderstanding, police said on Thursday as Social Development and Human Security Minister Chuti Krairikshas revealed the baby's mother had been found.
The minister said the provincial social development office tracked down the 22-year-old woman, who has a hearing impairment, in Prachuap Khiri Khan with the help from the Hua Hin municipal office.
Meanwhile, Pol Maj Gen Surasak Suksawang, commander of Prapchuap Khiri Khan police, said the the affair was a misunderstanding and that the baby was not being sold.
Mr Chuti said the young mum was found to be living with her grandparents in the Hua Hin municipality.
Municipal officials found her and alerted the provincial social development office which provided 3,000 baht in assistance to the family.
The municipal office carrying out a background check on the woman before it starts giving out the 600 baht per month child care assistance.
Mr Chuti said she had no idea how the baby's picture was posted online.
However, on Wednesday, it was reported that the baby's uncle, called Hin, had contacted a web page called "Caring for Babies Born Of Unwanted Pregnancies" and asked to put the baby up for adoption since the family could not afford to take care of him. He denied demanding money.
After the baby's picture was uploaded a distant relative -- a policeman -- contacted the family.
The family agreed to him adopting the baby and the paperwork was being processed when the sale allegations surfaced this week.