Police raided a homemade-whiskey brewery in East Pattaya, seizing 6,000 liters of enhanced whiskey destined for bars around Pattaya.
Homeowner Wirithpol Wongsa, 45, was arrested in the June 30 raid at the Rattanakan Village 3 house in East Pattaya. The liquor, mixed with various energy drinks and supplements, was worth more than 700,000 baht police said.
Police said Wirithpol confessed to being a former cab driver who found more money in brewing moonshine called “I Dagya,” which is Thai whiskey mixed with tonics such as Maa Lrathuebrong, Domairoolom, Sao Songpunpee, Nareelumpung and Krachaidum. The elixirs, sold to customers as shots, supposedly increase energy, sexual potency, enhance relaxation or have other effects. The mixture is stored in 200-liter containers for two weeks before it is shipped to customers.
For his own homemade mixture, “Yaa Dong Wei Hey.” Wirithpol said he buys uncut booze from Bangkok twice a month, then mixes it with the herbal compounds bought in Chonburi before reselling it to more than 100 bars in Pattaya.
While no licenses or permits were found, Wirithpol confessed that a representative from the Laem Chabang Excise Office has repeatedly tried to get him and his customers to purchase liquor licenses to make the operation legal. At 5,000 baht per license, however, everyone involved declined.
