Bangkok: Warning! A 23-year-old man, reduced to skin and bones, has been discovered in a perilous state after opting to drink kratom instead of water, consuming minimal food, and isolating himself in his room. The shocking discovery was made by his dormitory owner who found him lying helplessly amidst a pile of garbage, prompting an urgent call for emergency medical assistance.

According to Thai News Agency, the rescue workers who responded to the incident have issued a stern warning about the dangers of consuming boiled kratom water, especially targeting teenagers. The young man was found in a severely emaciated condition, having substituted kratom for water over an extended period, resulting in severe dehydration and malnutrition. His isolation and lack of energy even left him unable to operate his mobile phone.

The dormitory owner, while performing routine maintenance, stumbled upon the young man’s dire situation. His condition was alarming, with visible signs of severe weight loss and incoherent speech,
indicating he had been suffering for at least a month. This incident has sparked a renewed focus on the dangers associated with kratom consumption.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) had previously issued warnings about the consumption of kratom leaf tea. The public is cautioned about the potential risks, which include addiction to mitragynine, excessive and long-term consumption leading to psychiatric conditions, drowsiness and sedation when mixed with antihistamines, accumulation of toxins that might damage the nervous system due to pesticides or fungi, and severe diarrhea that could lead to blood infections from contaminated sources.

The incident underscores the life-threatening nature of substandard kratom consumption, highlighting the importance of consuming it wisely or avoiding it altogether to ensure maximum safety.