Ya dong (Thai: ยาดอง 'infused medicine'), or more specifically ya dong lao (ยาดองเหล้า 'spirit-infused medicine'), is a form of Thai herbal alcoholic drink, consisting of medicinal herbs infused in a spirit, typically lao khao. It developed as a method in traditional Thai medicine for the extraction of herbal active ingredients, and was typically consumed in small amounts for perceived medicinal benefits.[1][2][3]
While ya dong may legally be prescribed as a tincture by traditional medicine practitioners,[4] in modern times, with legal restriction on alcohol production, it has become associated with illegal spirit production and is often described in English as moonshine. It is widely seen as a drink of the lower socioeconomic class, and is usually sold from jars at streetside stalls. From 2015, however, several upscale bars have developed their own versions,[5][6] and the drink has also been introduced to the United States.[7][8]
Cases of mass methanol poisoning have occurred in Thailand from the production and distribution of ya dong. In October 2019, twenty-two people were injured in Chon Buri province, five of whom died, from a contaminated batch of ya dong.[9][10] In August 2024, another incident in Bangkok led to forty-four hospitalizations and ten deaths.[11][12]
See also
edit- Rượu thuốc, a similar drink in Vietnam
References
edit- ^ Sukphisit, Suthon (2 December 2012). "Thai liquor: In a glass of its own". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Sereemongkonpol, Pornchai (8 February 2013). "Love sex magic". Bangkok Post.
- ^ Natthira Karnjanasin Phongborripat Phanthangkun (2022). "ยาดองเหล้าสมุนไพรไทย" [Yadong - Thai Herbal Liquor]. Kalasin University Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Innovation (in Thai). 1 (1): 75–81. doi:10.14456/hsi.2022.6. ISSN 2821-9635.
- ^ "เปิดปม : ล้อมคอกยาดอง". Thai PBS (in Thai). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Hubbell, Diana (6 December 2015). "The foodie traveller … on upmarket moonshine in Bangkok". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Compton, Natalie B. (9 April 2016). "Thailand's Dirt-Cheap Moonshine Is Going Upscale in Bangkok". Vice. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Hatchett, Caroline (10 August 2020). "Ya Dong, 'Thailand's Moonshine,' Is Now on America's Radar — and Back Bars". VinePair. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Yentch, Katrina (17 May 2023). "Thai Americans Are Bringing Ya Dong Stateside". Imbibe Magazine. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "แพทย์ชี้ "เมทานอล" เหตุชาวบ้านเสียชีวิต หลังดื่มยาดองคางคก". Thai PBS (in Thai). 22 October 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "เหล้าเถื่อน มหันตภัยร้าย คร่าชีวิต". DDC Watch (in Thai). Vol. 7, no. 4. Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control. September 2020.
- ^ "Deaths in herbal liqueur poisoning rise to eight". Thai PBS World. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "คลัสเตอร์เหล้าเถื่อนเสียชีวิตเพิ่มอีก 1 คน รวมเป็น 10 คน". Thai PBS (in Thai). 10 September 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.