Economic Crime Division police arrested a Chinese man hiding 500 canisters of laughing gas worth over 1 million baht at a house in the Ramkhamhaeng area while he was preparing to deliver the goods. He was caught before the products reached the buyers. The suspect admitted he was responsible for managing and delivering the products for foreign investors and earned 30,000 baht per month.
On 21 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Natthasak Chaowana-sai, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Tatsapoom Jaruprat, Commander of the Economic Crime Division, Pol. Col. Naruephon Karuna, Head of Division 2, and Pol. Lt. Patipan Bunsuk, Investigator of Division 2, to lead a raid and arrest Mr. Bai Changbo, a 54-year-old Chinese national, on charges of concealing, distributing, transporting, buying, pawning, or receiving goods known to be illegally imported without customs clearance. They seized 500 canisters of laughing gas (nitrous oxide) valued at over 1 million baht at his residence in Suan Luang subdistrict, Suan Luang district, Bangkok.
This arrest follows continuous investigations after a January 2026 GMT+7 crackdown on a major smuggling and distribution network of laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide: N₂O). Authorities discovered a network of Chinese traders who maintained contact with the previous network and continued illegally distributing these products, leading to ongoing surveillance.
The current target was found to have a storage site in Ramkhamhaeng, often packing the laughing gas in boxes for delivery by motorcycle to customers ordering through various online channels. The Economic Crime Division obtained a search warrant from the Central Excise Court and searched the residence. They found Mr. Bai about to leave on a motorcycle with a delivery box containing two canisters of nitrous oxide. A search of the house uncovered a total of 500 canisters. He was arrested and taken with the evidence to investigators for legal proceedings.
During interrogation, Mr. Bai confessed to overseeing the storage location and the seized goods. He said he was paid 30,000 baht per month by Chinese employers based abroad. The case has been forwarded to Division 2 of the Economic Crime Division, and investigations to identify the investors continue.
Pol. Col. Naruephon warned the public, especially youths and teenagers, against purchasing nitrous oxide for misuse, such as inhaling from balloons for recreational effects, which can be fatal. The gas displaces oxygen in the lungs and central nervous system, causing nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of breathing control, and impaired organ coordination. This can lead to falls, injuries, and unconsciousness. Long-term use causes peripheral nerve damage, numbness, muscle weakness, and severe cases may result in death.
He also urged those importing, storing, and distributing nitrous oxide originating from abroad to immediately cease such activities.