PUBLISHED: 25 Aug 2024 at 18: 52
One person died and 20 more were taken to the hospital in Min Buri area on Saturday nights after the authorities shut lower 18 whiskey stores in six districts.
A full of 21 people became ill after drinking the unlawful methanol-containing drink, according to Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital in Bangkok’s Kannayao neighborhood on Sunday.
Department of Medical Services ( DMS ) director-general Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak said the patients are receiving treatment for dizziness, stomach ache, vomiting, impaired vision and seizures.
She explained that after drinking this type of whiskey, people typically exhibit symptoms between 16 and 24 hrs. She added that all those affected were males aged between 30 and 40 years old, apart from one 69-year-old person.
Thirteen are being treated at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, five went to Navamin 9 Hospital, one each to Rajavithi Hospital and Kasemrad Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, and one died at Synphaet Serirak Hospital.
Six of them had been revived using CPR, according to reports of respiratory arrest.
40 % evidence wine
Dr. Amporn speculated that some patients may need to have kidney transplants for the rest of their lives while seven patients have extreme physical damage.
According to the government, the regions of Min Buri and Khlong Sam Wa, particularly in Soi Hathai Rat 33, had the highest concentration of whiskey sellers.
Payung Boonsomsuwan, chairman of the Excise Department’s Office of Prevention and Suppression, said wine examples sold at three booths in the towns were collected for investigation and found to contain alcohol.  ,
The authority inspected a factory in Saphan Sung district and found that it was a production site that mixed methanol with water to create 40 % evidence wine.
It sold the beverage to 18 booths in six regions, including Min Buri, Khlong Sam Wa, Lat Krabang, Prawet, Khan Na Yao and Nong Chok.
The division has mandated that the 18 shops close.
However, Somsak Thepsutin, the minister of public health, advises people to avoid illegal homebrews and other beverages without an excise stamp.