Amid the bustling streets and neon-lit markets of Bangkok’s Bang Bon district, an undercurrent of secretive activity was brought to light. In 2016, soldiers conducted a daring raid on an illegal liquor production facility, seizing a staggering 24,080 litres of illicit moonshine. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Fast forward to today, and the shadow of dubious distillation looms large once more as a House committee delves into the serious, consequential problem of unregulated herbal moonshine, colloquially known as “ya dong.” This wake-up call was tragically underscored by the death of six individuals and over 30 hospitalizations after consuming ya dong contaminated with methyl alcohol.
The scrutiny of the alcoholic beverages control bill is being spearheaded by Wisarn Techathirawat, chairman of the panel. He stressed the grave public health hazard posed by the widespread and unregulated production of herbal moonshine, an issue made more perilous by consumers’ lack of awareness about the potential dangers lurking in their drink of choice.
On Wednesday, an important dialogue will unfold as the committee holds talks with the director-general of the Department of Medical Services and representatives from the Department of Excise. The goal: to implement stringent measures to avert a repeat of the recent catastrophe and to rigorously enforce the Alcohol Control Act along with other relevant laws that safeguard public health.
Caretaker Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat is taking a firm stand. He has directed the Excise Department to intensify crackdowns on the unregulated production of alcoholic beverages. Nittaya Soreekul, the department’s deputy chief and spokesperson, elucidates the legal ramifications: selling ya dong without a permit is illegal, and any adulteration of alcoholic beverages is a grave offense. Moreover, possessing a distilling machine without authorization carries a potential jail term of up to six months and/or a hefty fine up to 100,000 baht. Selling bootleg alcohol? That’s an up to 50,000 baht fine. Buyers aren’t off the hook either, facing fines up to 10,000 baht.
The department’s thorough investigation has revealed that all the victims of recent methanol intoxication had a common link—they had consumed herbal moonshine. This connection has led to legal action against those who supplied methyl alcohol to the moonshine maker in Min Buri, charging them with the collusion to produce alcohol without the necessary permits.
The unfolding drama around Bangkok’s illicit beverage industry serves as a poignant reminder of the often unseen dangers in unregulated markets. As authorities work fervently to stem the tide of dangerous moonshine, only time will tell whether the combined efforts of the health, medical, and finance sectors can indeed bottle up this pervasive problem and ensure a safer future for consumers.
It’s tragic that people are dying from this. Authorities need to do more to crack down on illegal distilleries.
True, but let’s not forget people choose to drink this stuff. Personal responsibility matters.
Yes, but the government needs to educate the public on these risks. Many might not know the dangers of methanol.
Education is key, but at the end of the day, you can’t fix stupid. Some folks will always take risks.
Education and strict enforcement both play critical roles. Just pointing fingers doesn’t save lives.
Six months jail for unauthorized distillation seems too lenient for something that can kill people. There should be harsher penalties.
Agreed! Stricter consequences would hopefully deter others from doing the same.
But then our prisons would be overrun. We need a balance between punishment and education.
Higher penalties could help, but addressing the root cause, which is often poverty, is more effective in the long run.
Why would anyone drink ya dong in the first place? It’s not like Bangkok lacks legitimate liquor stores.
Some people believe in its herbal benefits despite the evident risks. It’s a cultural thing.
Cultural or not, when it’s life-threatening, it needs to be regulated. Culture evolves with knowledge.
Cultural benefits shouldn’t outweigh public safety. Regulation is essential here.
Sad to see tragedies like this. Why don’t authorities test these on the streets like they do with other substances?
Good point, mobile testing units could help reduce these incidents. Quick, on-the-spot results might deter illegal vendors.
Exactly, and it could act as a preventive measure as well. Authorities need to get creative.
Agree completely. The cost of implementing such tests would be worth the lives saved.
People will always find a way to make money from these illegal activities. It’s a never-ending game of cat and mouse.
Seems like the real issue here is poverty and lack of proper livelihoods. Fix that and you fix a lot of these problems.
Poverty does play a role, but so does greed. It’s not an easy problem to solve.
True, but promoting economic opportunities would lessen the allure of illegal activities.
Can we talk about the role of corruption in allowing these illegal operations to thrive? It’s not just about enforcement.
Bingo! Corruption is a massive issue. Without addressing it, stricter laws won’t do much.
Corruption and enforcement must go hand in hand. Exposure and accountability are key in battling this.
Absolutely, if corruption continues unchecked, we will keep seeing these tragic events.
Wow, selling ya dong without a permit is such a big deal. Who knew moonshine could be so deadly?
Instead of cracking down, why not regulate and make it safer? People will brew it anyway.
Legalizing and regulating might not eliminate black markets, but it could significantly reduce its dangers.
Regulation could also generate revenue for public health campaigns about its safer use.
The authorities’ efforts are commendable, but community engagement is key. Local leaders should help spread awareness.
Is this a problem unique to Thailand or does illegal moonshine pose dangers worldwide?
Sadly, it’s a global issue. Anywhere there’s poverty and lack of regulation, moonshine is a risk.
Interesting. Probably needs a global network to share solutions and strategies, then.
Public outcry and media can pressure the government to act. We need journalists exposing these practices.
Instead of punishing consumers too harshly, why not focus primarily on the producers? They’re the real culprits.
It’s shocking how easily people can access such dangerous stuff. Clearly, enforcement isn’t where it needs to be.
I think better labeling and strict control over ingredients can also prevent such tragedies.