Six people died and over 20 have been hospitalized in Thailand after consuming bootleg alcohol contaminated with methanol, authorities reported on Wednesday.
The fatalities primarily occurred in the Khlong Sam Wa district, located on the Northwest edge of Bangkok, where officials discovered 19 illegal roadside alcohol stands.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration stated that six individuals died in hospital, while 22 others remain in critical condition as of Wednesday August 28, 2024 morning.
“After drinking, my father mentioned that the symptoms felt like acid reflux. The next thing he knew, he was in the ICU,” a relative of one of the affected individuals told public broadcaster ThaiPBS.
In a country where Buddhism is the major religion, Thailand has strict alcohol laws, restricting liquor sales to certain hours of the day and banning them on religious holidays.
Somwang Chaiprakraiwan, the chief local official in Khlong Sam Wa district, reported that authorities have taken action against illegal alcohol vendors in the area.
“The police and the Department of Excise have arrested and detained those involved,” Somwang told AFP.
Illicit liquor is frequently adulterated with methanol to boost its potency. Consuming methanol can lead to blindness, liver damage, and even death.
