A CRACKDOWN on shops illegally selling balloons filled with laughing gas, that is nitrous oxide, in Khao San road area today (Feb. 2) netted 13 suspects and six equipment used to produce them for sale worth around 1 million baht, TV Channel 7 said this evening.
A Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) police team together with another team from Chanasongkram police station and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials jointly arrested the suspects at 12 shops scattered around Khao San road for selling these balloons.
They were charged with manufacturing and selling drugs without permission which is punishable with maximum five years’ imprisonment and a fine not exceeding 10,000 baht. Should they have used unregistered nitrous oxide there is an additional penalty of maximum three years in jail and/or 5,000 baht fine at most.
A lot of vendors are illegally selling laughing gas balloons to residents and students across Bangkok with those doing so in Khao San road area targeting tourists.
Signs have been put up in Khao San road strip selling small laughing gas balloons for 50 baht, bigger ones 100 baht and even bigger than that 300 baht.
Nitrous oxide is classified as a volatile substance that has a depressant effect on the central nervous system and slows down brain, respiratory and heart functions. It is mostly used for medical and commercial purposes but used in the wrong way, that is inhaling it for recreation, leads to intoxication and short-lived rush of euphoria. In excessive amounts may it cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness possibly being life-threatening.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Laughing gas balloons on sale at Khao San road. Photo: Matichon
Front Page: A laughing gas cartridge and some balloons. Photo: Thai Rath
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