https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3120714/man-dies-after-mistakenly-drinking-toilet-cleaner-from-soft-drink-bottle
Man dies after mistakenly drinking toilet cleaner from soft drink bottle
Sent home from hospital, not admitted for observation
PUBLISHED : 14 Oct 2025 at 14:15
WRITER: Online Reporters
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BURIRAM - A man who was rushed to hospital after mistakenly drinking toilet cleaner from a soft drink bottle died only a few hours after he was cursorily treated and then sent home.
His family is now questioning the hospital’s handling of the case.
The tragic incident occurred in Satuek district on Monday. The 44-year-old man drank from a bottle he thought contained a soft drink, unaware it had been refilled with green toilet cleaner.
After taking several sips, he realised something was wrong and was rushed to hospital by relatives.
His sister said he had told her he was thirsty after a night of heavy drinking. He picked up a one-litre soft drink bottle containing a green liquid and drank about a quarter of it before asking, “What is this?”
Upon discovering it was toilet cleaner, the family hurried him to hospital.
At the hospital, relatives said, they presented the bottle to the medical staff and explained what he had consumed. Doctors examined the man, prescribed medication and allowed him to return home.
About five hours later, the man collapsed at home and lost consciousness. Emergency services were called, but were unable to revive him and he died.
His family expressed both sorrow and confusion, saying they had expected him to be kept in the hospital for observation and treatment.
A doctor who examined the body at the house was asked why the patient had not been admitted to the hospital, and instead sent home.The doctor reportedly explained that such cases were discharged if the patient showed no immediate severe symptoms.
The owner of the cleaning agent said he had transferred it from a large container into used soft drink bottles for distribution to relatives. He was present during the incident, he said, and the victim had asked what the liquid was only after drinking it.
He asked why the hospital had not performed a gastric lavage despite being shown the sample bottle.
The Buriram Provincial Health Office later said that using a stomach pump was not always appropriate in cases involving acidic substances such as toilet cleaner, which can corrode metal.
Dr Pichet Phutkhuntod said that inserting a tube into the stomach could cause the acid to flow back into the oesophagus, potentially leading to perforation or infection in the lungs.
He said the patient had vomited after drinking the cleaner. This, together with his state of intoxication, suggested that some of the substance had already been expelled. As his condition appeared to have stabilised, doctors allowed him to go home with instructions for close monitoring and to return if the symptoms worsened.
Health officials extended their condolences to the family and said support measures would be provided.
They also reminded people that hazardous household chemicals need to be stored safely and be clearly labelled, and to avoid transferring them into drink bottles or similar containers. Local health volunteers have been instructed to ensure people are aware of this, to prevent similar tragedies occurring.
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