Ya dong explained

Ya dong (th|ยาดอง 'infused medicine'), or more specifically ya dong lao (Thai: 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

• Rượu thuốc, a similar drink in Vietnam

Notes and References

1. News: Sukphisit . Suthon . Thai liquor: In a glass of its own . 23 November 2024 . Bangkok Post . 2 December 2012 . en.
2. News: Sereemongkonpol . Pornchai . Love sex magic . Bangkok Post . 8 February 2013 . en.
3. Karnjanasin . Natthira . Natthira Karnjanasin . Phanthangkun . Phongborripat . Phongborripat Phanthangkun . ยาดองเหล้าสมุนไพรไทย . Yadong - Thai Herbal Liquor . Kalasin University Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Innovation . 2022 . 1 . 1 . 75–81 . 10.14456/hsi.2022.6 . th . 2821-9635.
4. News: เปิดปม : ล้อมคอกยาดอง . 23 November 2024 . Thai PBS . 27 November 2019 . th.
5. News: Hubbell . Diana . The foodie traveller … on upmarket moonshine in Bangkok . 23 November 2024 . The Guardian . 6 December 2015.
6. News: Compton . Natalie B. . Thailand's Dirt-Cheap Moonshine Is Going Upscale in Bangkok . 23 November 2024 . Vice . 9 April 2016 . en.
7. Web site: Hatchett . Caroline . Ya Dong, 'Thailand's Moonshine,' Is Now on America's Radar — and Back Bars . VinePair . 23 November 2024 . en . 10 August 2020.
8. Web site: Yentch . Katrina . Thai Americans Are Bringing Ya Dong Stateside . Imbibe Magazine . 23 November 2024 . en . 17 May 2023.
9. News: แพทย์ชี้ "เมทานอล" เหตุชาวบ้านเสียชีวิต หลังดื่มยาดองคางคก . 23 November 2024 . Thai PBS . 22 October 2019 . th.
10. เหล้าเถื่อน มหันตภัยร้าย คร่าชีวิต . DDC Watch . September 2020 . 7 . 4 . Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control . th.
11. News: Deaths in herbal liqueur poisoning rise to eight . 23 November 2024 . Thai PBS World . 4 September 2024 . en.
12. News: คลัสเตอร์เหล้าเถื่อนเสียชีวิตเพิ่มอีก 1 คน รวมเป็น 10 คน . 23 November 2024 . Thai PBS . 10 September 2024 . th.