Customs officials have seized thousands of cylinders of undeclared nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas and often used illegally as a party drug, found among a consignment of goods imported from China.
Director-general Phanthong Loykulnan told reporters on Monday the seizure was made on Oct 29 at Bangkok Port in Khlong Toey district.
He said 2,600 cylinders of laughing gas were found inside boxes among other goods imported from China. The gas was not declared on the cargo manifest.
Each tank weighed five kilogrammes, enough to inflate 160 balloons. A balloon of laughing gas sold for 100 baht on the illegal market, Mr Phanthong said. The estimated total value was 44 million baht.
Nitrous oxide is used as a sedative in healthcare, helping patients relax during medical procedures such as dentistry.
It is frequently abused, used illegally for recreational purposes by customers at nightspots. It makes people giggly and changes the pitch of their voice, often to the point of hilarity.