POLICE arrested two brothers for producing deadly moonshine that killed two drinkers and sent 21 others to hospital at their house in Saphan Soong area of Bangkok and they confessed that they had been brewing it for a year and it was distributed to over 18 shops retailing herbal liquor, Naewna newspaper said this evening (Aug. 22).
In inspecting the house police found that the brothers, Mr. Surasak and Mr. Surachai (surname withheld), were mixing methanol with water to make 40-degree white liquor. This was then purchased by a middleman who mixed it with herbs and resold it to over 18 shops selling herbal liquor.
The brothers, who are general workers and soil haulers in the Saphan Soon area, confessed that they had bought ethanol from a shop in Bang Phlat area for 1,250 baht per gallon with the last purchase before being arrested totalling 20 gallons.
In brewing the deadly moonshine they used a large 200-litre tank with three gallons of ethanol mixed with seven gallons of water. They then check the brew to ensure it is 35 degrees before pouring it in 25-litre bags which were sold for 900 baht each.
The two suspects denied using methanol to make the bootleg and insisted that they had only one customer who bought their brew and did not know which herbal liquor shops he sold it to.
However police did not believe them and sent samples of the moonshine found at their house for testing.
They were charged with jointly producing liquor without permission and intending to sell it in violation of Excise Act 2560 (2017). They were taken to Minburi Court and are now in further custody after bail was denied. For these charges the penalty is maximum one month jail and/or 100,000 baht fine.
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The house where the deadly moonshine was produced. Photo: Naewna
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