The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is on alert as a new drug known as "Happy NN" is spreading widely in the border town of Tachileik in Myanmar.
Wichai Chaimongkhon, secretary-general of the ONCB, said the board has expedited coordination efforts with its Myanmar counterpart to obtain samples of the drug to analyse its chemical compounds.
The request was conducted under a bilateral deal to look into the so-called Happy NN drug, as Myanmar currently lacks information about it.
Reports say the drug costs around 3,000-6,000 baht per packet. The white-coloured narcotic acts as a stimulant and is commonly mixed with water, tea or coffee.
Its name sounds similar to another new narcotic dubbed "Happy Water" which is growing in popularity in Thailand and is also consumed in the form of liquid.
Authorities are waiting for the test results from the Myanmar side to compare the drugs properly.
Happy Water is like a powdered form of ecstasy mixed with other illicit drugs -- such as crystal meth and ketamine -- as well as the anticonvulsant nimetazepam pill. It is usually packed into instant coffee or non-dairy creamer and sells for 2,500-3,000 baht per packet.
It was detected in entertainment venues and gambling dens in early November last year. Police caught gangs in Bangkok, Nong Khai and Chumphon that were smuggling it to other parts of the country.
Mr Wichai said the government has beefed up inspections of nightspots to crack down on the usage of this and other narcotics.