Krathum baen: Police have conducted a raid on an illegal gas shop involved in repainting expired gas cylinders to make them appear new before reselling them. The Central Investigation Bureau, particularly the Consumer Protection Division, collaborated with officials from the Khlong Maduea Subdistrict Municipality in Krathum Baen District, Samut Sakhon Province, to inspect a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) retailer in the area. According to Thai News Agency, the investigation followed a tip-off from a representative of an LPG supplier, indicating that the shop was operating without a business license and was involved in repairing and repainting old or expired gas cylinders for public resale. The inspection revealed that the shop was conducting regular sales of LPG, with a total of 538 cylinders found, both empty and filled, valued at approximately 400,000 baht. Among these, 38 cylinders were confirmed to be expired. The shop owner admitted to running the business for over 20 years and acknowledged that he per sonally repaired, removed rust, and repainted old or damaged cylinders to make them look new, bypassing necessary inspections, pressure testing, and safety certifications from manufacturers or certified factories. Additionally, officials discovered that the establishment lacked a Type 3 controlled business license necessary for the storage and distribution of LPG and did not have adequate storage or fire prevention systems in place, posing potential risks of fires or explosions given its proximity to residential areas. Authorities have seized all related gas cylinders for further inspection and are set to proceed with legal actions against the shop. They have also issued warnings to the public to purchase cooking gas from licensed retailers, carefully inspect cylinders before use, and avoid those showing signs of corrosion, unusual coloring, or modifications. The public is encouraged to report suspicious gas retailers to authorities for immediate investigation.