191 police raided a rental room in the Sathorn area of Bangkok, seizing 687 canisters of nitrous oxide along with extensive filling equipment and numerous balloons. A 25-year-old man was arrested, admitting to managing the site and earning a monthly salary of 30,000 baht. He claimed a Chinese investor was behind the operation. Authorities are urgently expanding investigations to apprehend accomplices.
On 16 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasong Anmanee, Commander of the Patrol and Special Operations Division, ordered Pol. Col. Ekaphop Likhitthanasombat, Patrol Division Chief; Pol. Lt. Col. Paiboon Sosa; Pol. Lt. Col. Thawatchai Jamwitlerd, Deputy Patrol Chiefs; Pol. Lt. Col. Naru-nat Thipakorn Thongsodsang, Patrol Officer 1, and Pol. Sgt. Maj. Chawit Chuchuay, Deputy Patrol Officer 1, to lead the operation.
They arrested 25-year-old Naruibeth Chaicharoempong at a rental room in Sathorn, Bangkok, seizing 687 canisters of laughing gas, 28,800 boxes of Moza nitrous oxide cartridges, 10,000 assorted colored and scented balloons, 40,000 regular balloons, hundreds of plastic bags printed with cartoon and rainbow designs for packaging, digital scales, and plastic sealing machines.
The operation followed a tip-off from a concerned citizen reporting that the location was illegally selling laughing gas, prompting the police to conduct the search.
During questioning, the suspect confessed he served solely as the caretaker, earning 30,000 baht per month. He claimed a major financier behind the operation was Chinese. Police are actively expanding the investigation to track down and arrest other members involved in the network.
Initially, the suspect was charged with "illegal distribution of modern medicine (nitrous oxide or laughing gas) without authorization" and was transferred to Yannawa Police Station for further legal proceedings.