Six people dead and 37 more fighting for their lives after fake alcohol sold in British holiday hotspot
Bangkok Market (file pic)
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Six people are believed to be dead with almost 40 others in hospital at a British tourist hotspot after reports of fake 'rotgut' alcohol being sold.
An investigation has been launched by authorities in the Thai capital of Bangkok, after fake alcohol mixed with chemicals such as methanol and isopropanol was allegedly being sold from street stalls.
Local 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.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin told a press conference that 15 individuals had been placed on respirators, while 22 required kidney dialysis and 21 had suffered from blurred vision.
The fake alcohol was allegedly being sold from street stalls (stock pic)
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According to the Bangkok Times, '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 the Thai capital, with a 49-year-old woman charged on suspicion of illegal production of alcohol.
The woman, has been identified by the name Phatrasa and 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.
Phatrasa said that she felt "guilty and sorry" and hadn't meant to kill anyone.
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Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin
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She told reporters: "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.
"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."
Thai 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.
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.
GB News has approached the authorities for a comment.