The number of fatalities caused by drinking herbal liqueurs laced with deadly methanol has risen to four today, with 15 others on ventilators and 22 needing dialysis.
The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has revealed that at least 34 patients have been admitted to hospitals over the past week, in various districts of Bangkok, all suffering from methanol poisoning.
Some experienced blurred vision and one has reportedly lost their sight as a result of consuming the toxic herbal liqueurs, locally known as “Ya Dong”.
The incident has led to the closure of at least 18 stalls selling the liqueurs in Min Buri, Klongsamwa, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang, Prawes, Kannayao and Saphan Sung districts.
Nittaya Soreekul, deputy director general of the Excise Department, says that all those admitted to the hospital with methanol intoxication had consumed liqueurs purchased from stalls in these areas.
They were admitted to hospitals after experiencing dizziness, stomach ache, vomiting, blurred vision and seizures.
Two brothers have been arrested for allegedly selling alcoholic beverages without a permit and potentially face charges of attempted murder, according to police.
The owner of a factory in Saphan Sung district admitted to police that she only supplied the herbal liqueurs to the two brothers, who are her relatives.
She also claimed that her relatives were responsible for lacing the liqueurs with methanol.
