Police raid house supplying rogue moonshine that killed six and injured 37 in Thailand

Police raided a house that allegedly supplied the rogue moonshine that killed six and injured 37 people in Thailand.

Cops descended on the home and arrested brothers Surasak Insam, 46, and Surachai Insam, 44, in Saphan Sung district, Bangkok, on August 25.

The pair allegedly admitted to diluting the moonshine with ethyl alcohol 'to reduce its alcohol volume' before the batch was distributed.

Customers who drank the contaminated alcohol from street stalls across Bangkok allegedly suffered dizziness, breathing difficulties, and vomiting before being rushed to hospitals on August 22.

Authorities said six people were killed while 37 more were hospitalised for alcohol poisoning. Of the patients, seven required respirators and 23 needed kidney dialysis. Vicharn Minchainant, adviser to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, said: 'The relevant agencies have investigated 18 stores selling the illegal liquor, leading to the seizure of the products.'

The bootleg drinks were traced to a woman named Phatrasa, who allegedly hired the brothers to manufacture rice whiskey for her.

Speaking at a police press conference on August 26, she said: 'A year ago, I hired two 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. I didn't understand how it could happen because I had been doing it for a long time. I felt guilty and sorry. I didn't want to kill anyone. I want to help the victims because one of the deceased was my friend.'

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.'

The Insam brothers were detained at the Minburi Criminal Court for producing and selling illicit liquor. They may face additional charges if found guilty of causing the deaths from alcohol poisoning.

Police were also investigating a factory owner in Samut Prakan province who allegedly sold a large bulk of chemicals to the Insam brothers.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has urged those who have consumed moonshine from any of the 18 locations announced to see a doctor immediately without worrying about being arrested.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a simple type of alcohol used as an industrial solvent, antifreeze, and fuel. It is highly toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Isopropanol or isopropyl alcohol, is a colorless, flammable chemical compound commonly used as a disinfectant, antiseptic, and solvent. It is widely used in households and medical settings for cleaning and sanitizing, but it can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.