A tragic incident involving tainted bootleg alcohol has left at least six people dead and dozens more fighting for their lives in Bangkok, Thailand. The illicit moonshine, reportedly infused with toxic chemicals including methanol and isopropanol, was sold at street stalls in the popular tourist destination.
According to the Bangkok Post, victims who consumed the contaminated alcohol quickly developed symptoms of severe alcohol poisoning, including dizziness, breathing difficulties, and vomiting. In addition to the six confirmed fatalities, at least 37 individuals aged 22 to 69 are currently hospitalized in critical condition.
Thailand’s Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin reported that 15 of the injured have been placed on respirators, 22 require kidney dialysis, and 21 are experiencing blurred vision.
Authorities have traced the source of the toxic brew to a local woman named Phatrasa in Bangkok’s Saphan Sung district. At a police press conference on August 26, Phatrasa claimed her family had been selling herbal liquor for decades using a recipe developed by her late father, which supposedly only included natural ingredients.
“I felt guilty and sorry. I didn’t want to kill anyone,” Phatrasa stated, explaining that she had recently hired two brothers to produce the rice whiskey. She noticed a change in the liquor’s flavor but didn’t realize its deadly potential until learning of a customer’s death.
Police have arrested the brothers, Surasak Insam, 46, and Surachai Insam, 44, who allegedly admitted to diluting the moonshine with ethyl alcohol to reduce its alcohol content. However, they denied knowledge of how methyl alcohol contaminated the batch sold to Phatrasa.
Police Major General Kiatikul Sonthinen announced that Phatrasa will face charges of negligently causing death and severe injury, as well as violating the Excise Act by producing and selling liquor without permission. Authorities are also investigating a factory owner in Samut Prakan province who allegedly sold chemicals in bulk to the Insam brothers.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has urged anyone who consumed moonshine from any of 18 identified locations to seek immediate medical attention, assuring that they will not face arrest for coming forward.
the-sun.com
