Thailand’s Industrial Works Department and Food and Drug Administration have tightened restrictions on the import, trading and storage of potassium cyanide, to prevent its use for purposes other than those declared to the authorities, according to Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul.
The minister cited the case of “Chalada”, a woman who died by cyanide poisoning in February, after it was discovered that the poison used had been purchased online by her close friend, prompting authorities to review the existing controls.
Under the revised measures, anyone who has possessed more than 100kg of cyanide in the past six months must notify authorities of the amount of cyanide still in their possession, the amount sold and the details of the buyers. An import permit is valid for just one year.
Currently, cyanide is imported for use in research and for small-scale metal plating industry. 37 entities have been allowed to import cyanide into the country.
Six hazardous substances, which contain cyanide and used to be classified as Category 1 hazardous substances, have been reclassified as Category 3 for tighter control.
