An investigation is currently underway in the Thai capital after fake alcohol mixed with chemicals such as methanol and isopropanol was allegedly being sold from street stalls.
Local news agencies are reporting that customers had bought and consumed the illegal alcohol before falling ill with six fatalities and 37 more people being hospitalised with symptoms of alcohol poisoning.
The fake alcohol was sold on the streets of Bangkok (Getty Stock Images)
Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin revealed that 15 individuals had been placed on respirators, while 22 required kidney dialysis and 21 had suffered from blurred vision.
As of Tuesday (27 August), eight of the customers had been released from hospital.
What is ‘rotgut’ alcohol?
According to reports in the Bangkok Post and The Sun, ‘rotgut’ is a term used to describe alcohol that is of low quality and can also contain toxic chemicals.
Authorities have since been able to trace sales of the alcohol to a location in the Saphan Sung district of Bangkok, with a 49-year-old woman charged on suspicion of illegal production of alcohol.
The woman, who has been identified by the name Phatrasa, has since claimed that she and her family had been selling herbal alcohol for decades without issue, adding that her recipe only used natural ingredients and not methyl alcohol.
Speaking at a press conference about her produce on 26 August, Phatrasa said that she felt ‘guilty and sorry’ and hadn’t meant to kill anyone.
An investigation into the booze is currently underway (ViralPress)
“A year ago, I hired two men, who were brothers, to make rice whiskey for me. The batches they made tasted normal, so I continued ordering from them,” she said.
“However, last week, my customers reported that the flavour of the liquor had changed. They said it tasted weaker and fizzier, and seemed to have a lower alcohol content.
“I called the brothers to ask if they had changed the ingredients, but they refused to tell me, only saying they had improved it.
“When I tasted the latest batch of liquor, I had a little diarrhoea, but it wasn’t serious. Later, I found out that someone had died from drinking it and I was very shocked. I couldn’t believe it could happen.”
Authorities have since arrested brothers Surasak Insam, 46, and Surachai Insam, 44, who have allegedly admitted to diluting the moonshine.
However the brothers claim they have no idea how to the liquor ended up containing methyl alcohol.
A woman has since been charged with production of illegal alcohol (ViralPress)
Police Major General Kiatikul Sonthinen, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 3, said: “Phatrasa will be charged with negligently causing death and severe injury to others, and violating the Excise Act by producing and selling liquor without permission.”
Police are also said to be investigating a factory owner in Samut Prakan province, who had allegedly sold a large bulk of chemicals to the brothers.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration added that anyone who had drunk moonshine from 18 flagged locations should see a doctor immediately.
LADbible has reached out to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images/ViralPress