6 Dead, Over 20 Hospitalised After Consuming Illicit Liquor

• On Wednesday, August 28, six people died, and 22 others were hospital after allegedly consuming illicit alcohol in Thailand
• According to local authorities, the victims allegedly drank methanol-laced bootleg alcohol in Khlong Sam Wa District
• The area has strict alcohol laws, restricting liquor sales to certain hours of the day and banning them on religious holidays

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Thailand - At least six people have been confirmed dead after allegedly drinking methanol-laced bootleg alcohol.

The Daily Star reported that the deaths occurred mainly in Khlong Sam Wa District on the northwest edge of Bangkok, on Wednesday, August 28.

What Bangkok metropolitan officials said

According to a statement by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, 22 more have been hospitalised in critical condition.

Thai capital's administration said authorities found 19 illegal roadside alcohol stands following the tragedy.

"After the drinking, my father said the symptoms reminded him of gas reflux, and the next thing he remembered was that he was at the ICU," one of the drinkers' relatives said.

Predominantly Buddhist Thailand has strict alcohol laws, restricting liquor sales to certain hours of the day and banning them on religious holidays.

But critics say the rules drive a thriving black market for cheap alcohol made in unregulated backstreet distilleries.

Somwang Chaiprakraiwan, the top local official in Khlong Sam Wa district, said authorities had cracked down on illicit alcohol shops in the area.

"Police and the Department of Excise have arrested and detained them," Somwang said.

What happened to Kitui revellers?

Elsewhere, several families in Mwingi North constituency, Kitui county, were thrown into mourning after they lost their loved ones.

Four people reportedly died, and seven others were hospitalised on Monday, July 22, after consuming an illicit liquor known locally as 'Kalavu,' which is popular in the region.

According to a Citizen Digital report, the survivors were unsure what went wrong, as they regularly bought the brew from the same vendor.

The owner of the shop that sold the liquor and the seven affected consumers were admitted to Mwingi Level 4 Hospital.

The victims experienced symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, stomach pain, and severe diarrhoea.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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