Thailand’s Industrial Works Department has promised to tighten regulations, making it compulsory for importers of cyanide to report to the authorities every sale of the lethal chemical, to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, Jullapong Thaveesri, director-general of the department, said today (Monday).
He also said that the department will coordinate with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board to increase measures to regulate online and direct sales of cyanide.
Jullapong joined a meeting today with police officers investigating the 14 cases of suspected cyanide poisoning, chaired by Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief.
According to Jullapong, the department has issued 54 permits to 14 companies to import cyanide, mainly for industrial and laboratory use. There are also about 2,000 smaller users, mainly in the gold plating business.
He admitted, however, that there is a legal loophole, exempting importers from having to report any sale of cyanide which is less than 100kg to the department, adding that the loophole must be closed immediately.
He said that, even though the advertising of cyanide is prohibited, it appears that the dangerous chemical has been offered for sale online, adding that this will also have to be dealt with through coordination with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, which is in charge of enforcing the law governing direct and online sales.
Meanwhile, Surachate said, after the meeting today to update progress in the investigations, that he expects more charges tobe filed against the suspect Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, and more arrest warrants.
Regarding the case concerning the death of a female victim named “Monthathip”, under the jurisdiction of Thonglor police, the deputy police chief said that they will be questioning forensic experts about their findings.
