MUKDAHAN — A joint task force arrested 14 men and women on July 16 after raiding a Thai-Lao birthday party where attendees allegedly consumed drugs inside a car repair shop in Mukdahan province.

The operation was carried out by district officials, the Singh Muang Muk special operations team, members of Mukdahan Territorial Defence Volunteer Corps Company 2, Border Patrol Police Company 234, the Internal Security Operations Command, Surasak Montri Task Force, and Mukdahan Immigration Office.

The raid followed complaints about a drug-related gathering in Mueang Mukdahan district. Authorities arrested 14 suspects—nine men and five women, including four Lao nationals (one man and three women). One Lao national faced additional charges for overstaying their permitted stay in Thailand.

Offcers acted on information from local informants about a birthday party involving drug use and excessive noise at a car repair shop in Ban Kham Phak Nok, Bang Sai Yai subdistrict. Upon arrival, they found the shop door open with loud music playing inside. After following legal procedures, officers discovered a plastic bag containing 2.88 grams of ketamine and bottles containing red liquid believed to be "happy water" with methamphetamine detected in preliminary testing.

All detainees admitted to gathering for a birthday celebration and bringing drugs to consume together. One suspect was charged with illegal possession of ketamine, another with illegal possession of methamphetamine in "happy water," and all 14 with illegal drug use involving methamphetamine. The Lao national also faced immigration charges. All suspects and evidence were transferred to Mueang Mukdahan Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Most Bangkok nightclub fire victims died from toxic gases, not flames, police sayLegacyMost victims of the Bangkok nightclub fire died from inhaling toxic gases rather than from burns, as carbon monoxide and cyanide were found in their systems. Officers from Phahonyothin Police Station and the Metropolitan Police Bureau met yesterday, July 16, to review progress in the investigation into the fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao nightclub. Following the meeting, Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Siam Boonsom briefed the media on the latest developments. Siam said post-mortem examinations found that the victims died from suffocation after inhaling toxic gases rather than from direct exposure to flames. According to the commissioner, forensic examinations detected carbon monoxide and cyanide in the victims’ bodies. He said both substances interfere with the body’s ability to absorb oxygen and, when inhaled in high concentrations, can prove fatal within minutes. Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Siam Boonsom | Photo via Thai Post Siam added that officers involved in the rescue operation were also affected by the toxic smoke. He said some experienced respiratory irritation, sore throats and symptoms associated with smoke inhalation after entering the building to assist victims. Police said the investigation into both the cause of the fire and the identities of those responsible for operating the nightclub remains ongoing. According to Siam, investigators are examining whether the electrical system may have contributed to the fire. He said the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) confirmed that the nightclub had applied to increase its electricity capacity. The commissioner said that after approving the increased capacity, the MEA sought permission to inspect the upgraded electrical system, but the operators denied. Photo by Sakchai Lalit via AP Siam added that investigators are considering the possibility that modifications may have been carried out without MEA involvement, which could have resulted in an electrical overload and short circuit. Nevertheless, the official cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Investigators are awaiting findings from the relevant government agencies before deciding on any legal action. Siam also said police are tracing financial transactions to identify everyone who benefited from the nightclub’s operations as part of efforts to determine who may bear legal responsibility. According to police, the business was registered in the names of a male owner, who remains hospitalised, and his mother. Investigators have also questioned the owner’s older sister after determining that she received financial benefits from the business. Photo by Wason Wanichakorn via AP The commissioner said no criminal charges have been filed against anyone so far because investigators are still waiting to interview the injured owner and other people connected to the business. Siam also addressed reports that one of the nightclub’s emergency exits had been locked. He said an employee who escaped the fire told investigators that one fire exit was locked during the incident. Police said the claim will form part of the ongoing investigation and will be considered when determining whether any legal action is warranted. The story Most Bangkok nightclub fire victims died from toxic gases, not flames, police say as seen on Thaiger News.

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Japan-bound courier finds, reports hidden meth haulLegacyPolice seized about 2.059 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed inside six tamarind paste jars after a shopping courier transporting goods from Thailand to Japan reported finding suspicious objects hidden inside one of the jars while preparing a shipment, police said yesterday, July 16. The 43 year old woman, who works as a courier transporting goods for 450 baht per kilogramme, told Bang Yi Khan police that she was contacted on July 3 by a Facebook account using the name “Chayamin Pai.” The account asked her to deliver a package from Thailand to Japan. The following day, July 4, the Facebook user arranged for a rider to deliver the parcel to her condominium in Bangkok Noi district, Bangkok. She returned to the condominium on July 6 to prepare for her trip to Japan. Photo via MGR Online On July 7, the shopping courier unpacked the shipment before placing it in her luggage. The parcel contained six 1.5 kilogramme jars of tamarind paste, along with instant noodles, sweets, jelly, dried coconut, snacks, seasonings, peanut butter and herbal inhalers. The total weight of the shipment was about 10 kilogrammes. While checking the contents, she noticed the tamarind paste jars were unusually heavy. After opening one, she found tamarind paste covering the top, but when she reached further inside, she discovered a clear plastic bag containing a white solid object. Suspecting something was wrong, she returned the bag to the jar, repacked all of the items in the cardboard box and placed it back beneath the condominium where it had originally been left. She then travelled to Japan as scheduled. Photo via MGR Online After returning to Thailand on July 11, she reported her discovery to Bang Yi Khan police on July 13, asking officers to inspect the package. Police inspected the parcel and found suspected Category 1 narcotics concealed beneath the tamarind paste in all six jars, with a combined weight of about 2.059 kilogrammes. A preliminary field test returned a positive result for methamphetamine. MGR Online reported that the seized evidence has been sent to the Office of Police Forensic Science for further analysis. Police are continuing to investigate the origin of the drugs and identify those responsible. The story Japan-bound courier finds, reports hidden meth haul as seen on Thaiger News.