Buriram Province: The weather in Chaloem Phra Kiat District has turned extremely cold, leading to a tragic incident where a 54-year-old man died after consuming alcohol in an attempt to stay warm. Found deceased in his bedroom, the incident has prompted doctors to issue warnings against the hazardous misconception that alcohol can be used to combat cold temperatures.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Apichart Tiangprakon of the Chaloem Phra Kiat Police Station received a report about the death at a house in Village No. 2, Tapek Subdistrict. The police coordinated with rescue units to inspect the scene, which was a single-story concrete house. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of Mr. Winai, the homeowner, with no visible signs of assault.
Mr. Phukrit, the deceased's younger brother, revealed that Mr. Winai was accustomed to living alone and had a habit of drinking alcohol regularly. He suspected that his brother's heavy drinking, combined with the cold weather, contributed to his death. Similarly, Nang Anong, the deceased's sister, mentioned that Mr. Winai drank white liquor daily, believing it would keep him warm. Despite her attempts to dissuade him, he continued with the habit, ultimately leading to his demise.
Dr. Taweechai Visanuyothin, Director of the Disease Control Office 9 in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, stressed that using alcohol as a remedy for cold is a misconception. He explained that alcohol causes blood vessels to expand, resulting in increased heat loss from the body, which can significantly lower body temperature. If an individual becomes excessively intoxicated and loses consciousness, the risk of death due to hypothermia rises. Therefore, alcohol should not be considered a cure for cold weather.
In a related incident, Pol. Lt. Preecha Sakkayapricha of Ban Dan Police Station received a report about a man found dead in Ban Prasat. The deceased, identified as Mr. Suk, 69, was discovered lying in his underwear with no signs of assault. His wet clothes were found nearby, suggesting he may have fallen into a canal and struggled to survive in the freezing conditions.
Ms. Amporn, who discovered Mr. Suk's body, recounted hearing noises the previous night but assumed they were caused by an animal. It wasn't until morning that she found the body covered with a fertilizer bag, prompting her to alert authorities.
Mr. Chai, the deceased's brother, noted that Mr. Suk had been blind for over a decade and lived alone. He speculated that Mr. Suk might have accidentally fallen into the canal, attempted to remove his wet clothes, and sought warmth, but ultimately succumbed to the cold.