Police raid Jomtien bar for illegal laughing gas balloon sales

Pattaya police executed a raid on a Jomtien bar yesterday for the illegal sale of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) balloons.

Officers targeted See You Beach Bar on Jomtien Soi 11, Nong Prue subdistrict in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province at 3.36am yesterday, September 16. During the operation, police confiscated two nitrous oxide tanks, three balloons filled with nitrous oxide gas, and 60 empty balloons. Four illegal foreign workers were detained, along with the bar’s manager.

Police initiated the raid following complaints from citizens that the establishment was selling nitrous oxide-filled balloons, commonly known as laughing gas balloons. An investigation confirmed the allegations, leading officers to act swiftly while the bar was bustling with Thai and foreign patrons.

“We received multiple reports about the illegal activities at this bar and upon investigation, we found the complaints genuine.”

Police discovered that the bar concealed the nitrous oxide tanks in a storage area across the street. Foreign staff members would retrieve the gas to fill balloons, selling them to customers for 200 baht each. Surveillance led to the uncovering of this hiding spot and the subsequent seizure of all related evidence.

The bar manager and the detained workers were taken into custody for further questioning. The police are also in the process of issuing an arrest warrant for the bar’s actual owner to face legal action. Names of those involved have not been disclosed as the investigation continues, reported Pattaya News.

Under Thai law, selling modern medicines without authorisation, which includes nitrous oxide, is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 baht. The public is urged to report similar violations to emergency services at 191 or the Central Investigation Bureau hotline at 1191.

“We hope this serves as a warning to other establishments engaging in similar illegal activities.”