The Department of Medical Services revealed that 21 people have been found sick from drinking illicit alcohol at herbal liquor booths, of which 1 person has died and another is in critical condition. The Excise Department is investigating the origin of the factory and has found that methanol has been mixed in illegally. It has ordered the closure of 18 herbal liquor booths.

Dr. Pairoj Surattanawanich, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, along with representatives from the Excise Department and Metropolitan Police Division 3, attended a meeting to follow up on the progress of the case of people who died and were admitted for Methanol intoxication, acute poisoning from drinking illicit liquor or methanol from a drug stall in the Hathai Rat area, Min Buri district. Between August 22-25, 21 patients were admitted for methanol poisoning, of which 1 person was sent to Sinphaet Seri Raks Hospital and died, and 1 person was in critical condition. There were also a number of red patients w
ho were distributed for treatment at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Nawamin Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital, and Kasemrad Ramkhamhaeng Hospital. Most of the patients admitted for treatment had symptoms of dizziness, stomachache, severe nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, blurred vision, and some had to be intubated and had to undergo dialysis. If any patient has severe symptoms, blood tests will be taken, but the amount taken is still unclear and the test results from the Department of Medical Sciences must be awaited.

While the Director of the Office of Prevention and Suppression of the Excise Department revealed that yesterday (August 24), they went to search and arrest the production site on Kanchanaphisek Road 25 and collected evidence of liquor. Initially, the department’s lab found a high amount of methanol and IPA contamination. The factory that was inspected was a factory that was secretly producing and purchasing alcohol, both methanol and ethanol, mixing it with water, measuring the alcohol conte
nt, and then exporting it for sale. It was a clear white liquor. The producer was questioned and said that he did not know it was methanol because methanol is a chemical substance and its physical characteristics cannot be determined; it must be tested in a lab. As for the mixing formula, the producer was quite knowledgeable. He mixed methanol with water and diluted it, measuring the alcohol content to 35-40 degrees, and distributed it to 18 herbal liquor stalls in 6 areas. Most recently, all herbal liquor stalls have been ordered to close.

Pol. Col. Issara Na Phatthalung, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Division 3, revealed that after the incident, the investigation team went to the area to collect evidence, inspect the herbal liquor stalls where people bought from Soi Sam Wa, Hathai Rat, Nimit Mai, including the production source. Yesterday, they worked with the Excise Department to inspect the evidence and will separate the investigation into 2 parts. The first part will be inspected by the Excise
Department to find out the results as soon as possible. The other part will be sent to the Department of Medical Sciences to be used in the case file. As for the Min Buri area where the deceased died, the forensic team is currently waiting for the results to be linked to the crime.

For the public who suspect that they may have drunk alcohol mixed with methanol, observe symptoms after drinking. If you feel tired, short of breath, lethargic, weak, have sudden blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea or vomiting within 24-48 hours, see a doctor immediately or call to consult about your symptoms at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Tel. 0-2548-1000. Meanwhile, information from the Poison Control Center, Ramathibodi, indicates that between 2008 and 2019, there were 573 patients who were poisoned by methanol, and the trend is increasing, with more male patients than female patients.

Source: Thai News Agency