1 Dead & Multiple Cases of Alcohol Poisoning Found in Min Buri District

[Georgealbert]

 

 

File picture for reference only.

 

One person is dead and one in a coma, amongst manyl cases of poisoning that have been linked to the consumption of illegal alcohol in Bangkok’s Min Buri district. The police have ordered the closure of shops selling *ya dong* (traditional herbal liquor). Health authorities are urging consumers to monitor their symptoms and seek immediate medical attention, as the poisoning is life-threatening.

 

On August 24, a press conference was held by the Department of Medical Services, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, the Metropolitan Police Division 3, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. It was revealed that in addition to the 1 death, 19 cases of acute methanol poisoning had been reported between August 22 and August 24. The affected individuals had purchased illegal liquor (*ya dong*) from several vendors along Hathairat Road, Samwa Road, and Charoen Pattana Road, within the Min Buri and Khlong Sam Wa districts of Bangkok.

 

Authorities are urging anyone who may have consumed *ya dong* in these areas to remain vigilant for symptoms and to seek treatment at a nearby hospital immediately. All suspect vendors have since been shut down, and police, alongside the Excise Department, are conducting further investigations into illegal liquor sales.

 

The consumption of "ya dong" and other forms of illegal alcohol often carries the risk of methanol poisoning. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a toxic substance primarily used in industrial processes. Due to its lower cost compared to ethanol, it is sometimes illegally mixed into alcoholic beverages to cut production costs. This practice is commonly found in counterfeit spirits and poorly produced *ya dong* or white spirits that do not meet safety standards.

 

Methanol poisoning generally occurs from drinking contaminated alcohol. As little as 100 mg/kg can cause toxicity, while consuming 60 ml of 40% methanol can be fatal. Methanol is rapidly absorbed into the body within an hour, with around 95% processed by the liver. Its toxicity results from the accumulation of formic acid, leading to metabolic acidosis (blood acidity) and ocular toxicity (damage to the eyes).

 

-- 2024-08-25

 

 

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[ukrules]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Due to its lower cost compared to ethanol, it is sometimes illegally mixed into alcoholic beverages to cut production costs. This practice is commonly found in counterfeit spirits

 

This practice is far from common or there would be many dropping dead every week.

 

This would be the perfect cover for a poisoning murder.

[Ralf001]

Yeah wow... A 330ml bottle of Lao Khao is like 60b and they still adding methanol to cut costs !

 

Ya dong is a great drink though.

 

[GammaGlobulin]

Stick with LEO Beer!!!!

 

[Mason45]

I know the the area well as I was married in the old khlong samwah office. I have a house close to Hathairat road so I better be careful to stick to bottled drinks when going out for a decent session.

[cjinchiangrai]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

Yeah wow... A 330ml bottle of Lao Khao is like 60b and they still adding methanol to cut costs !

 

Ya dong is a great drink though.

 

Not exactly but close. It is (hopefully) a distillation error. Ethanol and methanol are both formed in the fermentation process. When distilling the methanol evaporates first and needs to be discarded. A thermometer can easily solve the problem. If they are actually adding Methanol, it is murder.

[Ralf001]

36 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Not exactly but close. It is (hopefully) a distillation error. Ethanol and methanol are both formed in the fermentation process. When distilling the methanol evaporates first and needs to be discarded. A thermometer can easily solve the problem. If they are actually adding Methanol, it is murder.

 

The article says it is mixed in to reduce costs.

[JoePai]

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

 

Ya dong is a great drink though.

 

Is that with or without an olive and a twist  

[Emdog]

"...poorly produced *ya dong* or white spirits that do not meet safety standards."

Maybe a mistranslation? Instead of "ya dong" should be "ya done".

[Ralf001]

52 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Is that with or without an olive and a twist  

 

Olives are disgusting.

 

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

1 Dead & Multiple Cases of Alcohol Poisoning Found in Min Buri District

 

One person is dead and one in a coma, amongst manyl cases of poisoning that have been linked to the consumption of illegal alcohol in Bangkok’s Min Buri district. 

 

Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1336392-1-dead-multiple-cases-of-alcohol-poisoning-found-in-min-buri-district/

 

Decades ago Alcohol (for cleaning and Desinfektion 90%) was sold colourless in 1 Liter bottles in Poland, available in many shops. Many people died. So the govt ordered a purple color for this kind of alc. Not surprising people living on the streets of Warsaw drank this, knowing they might die. This I watched during a sailing trip I'm the Baltic Sea 1980.

Maybe Thai Govt should consider this.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
 

Health Alert Issued After Fake Alcohol Consumption: Some Patients at Risk of Permanent Dialysis Need, 7 Confirmed Blind

August 25, Health authorities have revealed the alarming symptoms of customers who consumed fake alcohol and traditional herbal liquor. Some patients have reported blurry vision and may require lifelong dialysis. Seven individuals have been confirmed blind, and officials are closely monitoring the situation.

 

This follows reports of severe metabolic acidosis in patients who consumed alcohol adulterated with methanol. The contaminated alcohol was traced back to two stores located in the Hathairat and Khlong Sam Wa areas.

 

The Khlong Sam Wa District Office issued a public warning, urging residents who consumed alcohol from local stores, herbal liquor shops, or stalls in areas along Hathairat, Sam Wa, and Charoen Phatthana roads, as well as the surrounding areas in Khlong Sam Wa and Min Buri districts, to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, or vomiting.

 

This cluster of methanol intoxication cases has resulted in multiple hospitalisations, with one death and others in critical condition at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital and nearby facilities.

 

On August 25, Dr. Amporn Benjapolpitak, Director-General of the Department of Medical Services at the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed that 21 patients had now been reported at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital as a result of methanol poisoning. The affected individuals are predominantly Thai males aged 30 to 45, with one exception, a 69-year-old man.

 

Some patients have developed acute kidney failure and may require lifelong dialysis if their kidneys do not recover. Additionally, some have experienced blurry vision and reported seeing bright, scattered light. Seven patients have been confirmed blind, and ongoing monitoring is necessary to prevent further cases. 

-- 2024-08-25

 

 

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[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

UPDATE
 

Health Alert Issued After Fake Alcohol Consumption: Some Patients at Risk of Permanent Dialysis Need, 7 Confirmed Blind

August 25, Health authorities have revealed the alarming symptoms of customers who consumed fake alcohol and traditional herbal liquor. Some patients have reported blurry vision and may require lifelong dialysis. Seven individuals have been confirmed blind, and officials are closely monitoring the situation.

 

This follows reports of severe metabolic acidosis in patients who consumed alcohol adulterated with methanol. The contaminated alcohol was traced back to two stores located in the Hathairat and Khlong Sam Wa areas.

 

The Khlong Sam Wa District Office issued a public warning, urging residents who consumed alcohol from local stores, herbal liquor shops, or stalls in areas along Hathairat, Sam Wa, and Charoen Phatthana roads, as well as the surrounding areas in Khlong Sam Wa and Min Buri districts, to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, or vomiting.

 

This cluster of methanol intoxication cases has resulted in multiple hospitalisations, with one death and others in critical condition at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital and nearby facilities.

 

On August 25, Dr. Amporn Benjapolpitak, Director-General of the Department of Medical Services at the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed that 21 patients had now been reported at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital as a result of methanol poisoning. The affected individuals are predominantly Thai males aged 30 to 45, with one exception, a 69-year-old man.

 

Some patients have developed acute kidney failure and may require lifelong dialysis if their kidneys do not recover. Additionally, some have experienced blurry vision and reported seeing bright, scattered light. Seven patients have been confirmed blind, and ongoing monitoring is necessary to prevent further cases. 

-- 2024-08-25

 

 

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Health issues aside.... does this dodgy booze get ya plastered ?

[fredwiggy]

Reminds me..........

 

[Elkski]

Several blind! Is this for sure permanent? And possibly lifelong dialysis?    Until otherwise stated in the news I'm guessing just a distillation error.   Or mix-up of products.  

[hotchilli]

On 8/25/2024 at 3:55 AM, Georgealbert said:

The consumption of "ya dong" and other forms of illegal alcohol often carries the risk of methanol poisoning. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a toxic substance primarily used in industrial processes. Due to its lower cost compared to ethanol, it is sometimes illegally mixed into alcoholic beverages to cut production costs. This practice is commonly found in counterfeit spirits and poorly produced *ya dong* or white spirits that do not meet safety standards.

Moonshine alley... trusted vendors

[khunjeff]

Just to be clear, "yaa dong" is not synonymous with "illegal liquor" - it's just medicinal herbs and wood macerated in alcohol of any type. The great majority of yaa dong sellers use commercially produced lao khao to make their product, since it's cheap, reliable, and easily available.

 

"Illegal liquor" would normally mean "lao theuan", which is usually translated as "bootleg alcohol". It's distilled at home or by unlicensed manufacturers, and though it can actually taste better than lao khao, there's always the risk that poor production methods could lead to methanol contamination.

 

Like other people who have posted, I've never heard of anyone in Thailand intentionally adding methanol to liquor that's meant for drinking, unless it's done with the specific intent to harm people.

[Georgealbert]

18 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

Just to be clear, "yaa dong" is not synonymous with "illegal liquor" - it's just medicinal herbs and wood macerated in alcohol of any type. The great majority of yaa dong sellers use commercially produced lao khao to make their product, since it's cheap, reliable, and easily available.

 

"Illegal liquor" would normally mean "lao theuan", which is usually translated as "bootleg alcohol". It's distilled at home or by unlicensed manufacturers, and though it can actually taste better than lao khao, there's always the risk that poor production methods could lead to methanol contamination.

 

Like other people who have posted, I've never heard of anyone in Thailand intentionally adding methanol to liquor that's meant for drinking, unless it's done with the specific intent to harm people.

I have seen it reported, but not officially yet, that authorities have now traced and raided an illegal herbal liquor factory suspected of producing the beverages linked to these incidents.

 

The factory were allegedly reported to be using hand sanitiser alcohol commonly sold during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the manufacturing.

[john donson]

that legal drug that bring so much happiness and joy

[Ralf001]

15 minutes ago, john donson said:

that legal drug that bring so much happiness and joy

 

Which legal drug are you talking about ?

[AndreasHG]

On 8/25/2024 at 7:36 AM, Ralf001 said:

 

The article says it is mixed in to reduce costs.

It is also possible that the distillery does not discard all of the methanol, to maximize production volume and profits. Or that the distillation process is so rudimentary that methanol is still present in the finished product in significant volume. 

 

I never drink long drinks or cocktails in Thailand, unless I am in a very reputable and trustworthy establishment (i.e. international hotel).

I always wonder what those bottles of Johnny Walker and Absolute Vodka, on display on the carts of street bars or gogo bars, actually contain. 

Edited August 26 by AndreasHG

[mokwit]

22 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Health issues aside.... does this dodgy booze get ya plastered ?

No, people pass out and fall over backwards in a very characteristic way.

[khunjeff]

One thing I've always found fascinating is that an effective way to treat methanol poisoning is to administer ethanol: 

 

"Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, acts as a competitive inhibitor by more effectively binding and saturating the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme in the liver, thus blocking the binding of methanol. Methanol is excreted by the kidneys without being converted into the very toxic metabolites formaldehyde and formic acid."

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol_toxicity

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
 

Illegal "Ya Dong" Cluster Sees 1 More Death, 25 Hospitalised

 

Authorities have reported an update on the cluster related to illegal "Ya Dong" liquor. One more person has died, bringing the total death toll to two, while 25 others are ill, of which 13 people are currently on ventilators, in a critical condition.

 

The 25 patients have been categorised as follows: 13 in critical condition, 3 in serious condition and 9 with milder symptoms. Among these, 21 patients have blood acidity, 19 are experiencing breathing difficulties, 16 have kidney failure, 14 have blurred vision or blindness and 4 have seizures.

 

All affected individuals are Thai residents from Min Buri, Nong Chok, and Khlong Sam Wa, and all have a history of consuming illegal liquor in these areas. Authorities are advising anyone who has consumed such liquor and is experiencing dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or blurred vision to visit the nearest hospital for a check-up. Symptoms typically appear 24 to 48 hours after consumption.

 

Normally, methanol levels in distilled liquor should not exceed 1,000 milligrams per liter. However, tests conducted at an illegal distillery in Soi Kanchana 25 found methanol concentrations as high as 100,000 milligrams per liter. The Excise Department has sent samples of the illegal liquor to the Department of Medical Services for further testing to confirm these findings.

 

-- 2024-08-26

 

 

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[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, mokwit said:

No, people pass out and fall over backwards in a very characteristic way.

 

so like normal booze then,

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE

Two Brothers Arrested for Illegal Liquor Production Linked to Methanol Poisoning Incident

 

Authorities have detained two brothers connected to the production of illegal liquor after a methanol poisoning outbreak in the Khlong Sam Wa area led to multiple hospitalisations and deaths. Law enforcement is actively investigating the case, which has already claimed the lives of two individuals and left several others in critical condition.

 

The brothers, identified as Surasak, 46, and Surachai, 44, were arrested on charges of producing alcohol without a license. Both were escorted by police from the Bang Chan Police Station to the Min Buri Criminal Court for detention on August 26. The suspects concealed their identities by wearing hats, sunglasses, and face masks, refusing to answer questions from the media regarding their involvement in the production of the illicit alcohol.

 

The police seized several items at the scene, including four 200-liter drums, paddles for mixing, and numerous 20-liter containers. The confiscated materials are currently being analyzed by the Excise Department and the Department of Medical Sciences to determine the exact substances used in the production process. Initial reports suggest that methanol, a toxic substance, was illegally mixed into the liquor.

 

The investigation uncovered that the brothers had legally purchased the chemicals from a registered supplier, though their intended use was for the production of illegal liquor. Authorities are now scrutinising the supply chain for further violations.

 

Additionally, a woman known as "Jae Pu," who purchased the liquor from the two brothers, allegedly mixed her own formula before distributing the product to 18 herbal liquor stalls in the Khlong Sam Wa area. These stalls are believed to be responsible for the recent fatalities and severe illnesses. Law enforcement has already shut down all 18 stalls, and intense questioning of Jae Pu continues as police work to unravel the full extent of the operation.

 

-- 2024-08-26

 

 

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[Elkski]

When it competes with the top dogs the police seem quite capable and efficient.  

Sounds like some budding entrepreneur's didn't pay attention in chemistry class.   And then the lady seller added her dilution for further profit.  

I didn't know methanol was so deadly.   60 cc is a lethal dose?   Can you taste the difference?   

[Georgealbert]

The death toll from methanol poisoning due to bootleg liquor in Bangkok's Khlong Sam Wa district has risen from 2 to 4.

 

A total of 33 people have been affected, with 14 in the intensive care unit requiring ventilators; many also need kidney dialysis, and some face permanent blindness.

 

Authorities have shut down 18 bootleg liquor stores that obtained their supplies from the same source, which is now under investigation.

 

Three suspects who supplied bootleg liquor to the 18 vendors have been arrested and charged with manufacturing alcoholic beverages without the necessary permits. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether additional charges will be filed.

 

Law enforcement has identified the source of the chemicals used in the production of the illicit liquor and is now investigating the chemical supplier.