On August 27, 2024, the Department of Disease Control and the Department of Medical Services under the Ministry of Public Health reported that methanol poisoning from contaminated herbal liquor in the Khlong Sam Wa area has resulted in a fourth death. The number of confirmed cases has risen to 35, with 22 patients still receiving treatment and 9 having recovered. The new cases mark an increase from 33 reported cases the previous day.
Among those currently receiving medical care, 16 patients are on ventilators, 7 are in the process of being intubated, 23 are undergoing dialysis, and 6 are receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The investigation, led by the Min Buri Police Station, has focused on several herbal liquor establishments in the area. Authorities have inspected 18 stores within the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Division 3 area and one store in Soi On Nut 77. This effort involved collaboration with the Excise Department, the Medical Sciences Department, and the Medical Office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
The Excise Department’s investigation uncovered an illegal facility where methanol was being mixed into the liquor, leading to the closure of all 18 stores. Further testing revealed the presence of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a substance commonly used as a disinfectant and solvent, in a factory located in Soi Kanchanaphisek 025 and at several other locations, including the house of a key suspect known as “Jay Pu.” IPA, though useful for industrial and medical applications, is not safe for human consumption.
Three suspects are currently under investigation: Mrs. Passara, also known as “Jay Pu,” age 49, and two brothers, Mr. Surasak and Mr. Surachai, referred to as Es and Art. It is alleged that the brothers concocted a recipe for the herbal liquor and supplied it to all 18 stalls involved in the case.
The origins of the illicit liquor were traced back to Jay Pu, who admitted to using a white liquor base supplied by Es and Art to produce herbal liquor by boiling it with Chinese herbs and other ingredients. She claimed that her family had been in the herbal liquor business for over 30 years without any prior issues. The troubles began about a year ago when Es and Art approached her with a new recipe. Despite her initial reservations, she decided to order from them, as their product appeared to match the quality of her previous supplier.
Jay Pu described how, for most of the past year, there had been no significant issues. However, in mid-August, she began to notice changes after customers complained about the liquor’s taste and weaker strength. She reported the concerns to her suppliers, who promised adjustments. After personally tasting the final batch, she experienced mild diarrhea but did not initially associate it with a serious problem until she learned of the fatalities. Expressing deep remorse, she stated that she never intended for anyone to die and acknowledged that some of the victims were her friends.
She mentioned her intention to visit the patients in the hospital but feared potential misunderstandings. She had already spoken with some of the victims’ relatives, discovering that one of the deceased was a longtime friend and frequent herbal liquor consumer who had chronic health problems and a history of neglecting his medication.
“I’ve been under a lot of stress since this happened, receiving calls non-stop. I want to respond to everyone because I feel so sorry for what happened, and I don’t understand how this could have occurred,” said Jay Pu. “I’m not crying for attention; I’m genuinely devastated by this incident.”
It was reported that the investigating officers have received preliminary findings from the Excise Department. As a result, they have charged Jay Pu with multiple offenses, including producing alcohol without a license, selling alcohol without a license, negligent conduct resulting in death, and negligent conduct causing serious injury.
