Student meets fatal end after consuming substantial quantity of kratom juice, approximately 1.5 liters.
In a tragic incident that has raised concerns about the use of kratom, a 19-year-old vocational student named Kanlaya was found dead in her dormitory room in Udon Thani, Thailand. The exact cause of her death is yet to be confirmed, pending the results of a detailed autopsy at Udon Thani Hospital.
Police, rescue, and medical personnel responded to a report of a death at the dormitory on Saturday morning. Preliminary examination revealed bruising on both arms but no signs of assault or struggle. Kanlaya's roommate reported that she showed abnormal symptoms after falling asleep, including her eyes rolling back, teeth clenching, and loss of consciousness. The body of Kanlaya was found lying on her back on a bed in a second-floor room.
The kratom juice that Kanlaya consumed had been ordered online. Investigations into the composition and origin of the kratom product are ongoing, highlighting concerns about unregulated kratom products and their safety.
Kratom, a traditional pain reliever in Southeast Asia, is also widely used recreationally in Thailand. It has effects similar to opioid drugs, but it also shares many of the same serious safety concerns as other opioids. Large doses of kratom can cause serious side effects such as nausea, aggression, hallucinations, trouble breathing, liver damage, and death.
Typical kratom doses in the U.S. range from 2–6 grams of dried leaf, with more severe effects generally occurring at doses exceeding 8 grams. The potency of kratom products varies widely, making standardized dosing difficult. Low doses often produce stimulating effects, while moderate to high doses exhibit opioid-like sedative and analgesic effects, increasing the risk of dangerous side effects.
The incident in Thailand underscores the risk of overdose, which can result in severe respiratory difficulties, liver damage, hallucinations, and ultimately death. Consuming large amounts of kratom juice can lead to severe and potentially fatal side effects, particularly due to its opioid-like properties.
The risks associated with kratom use have been highlighted by the tragic incident involving Kanlaya. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential dangers and to avoid consuming high doses of kratom. Seeking medical advice if experiencing adverse symptoms is strongly advised.
Thailand removed kratom from the national narcotics list in 2021 and it is now regulated under the Kratom Plant Act. However, the incident in Thailand underscores the importance of continued vigilance and regulation to prevent harm, especially given that kratom is now a $1-billion industry in the US.
[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2021). Kratom. Retrieved from
- The incident involving Kanlaya in Thailand has sparked conversation about the use of kratom in health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, raising concerns over its potential hazards.
- As kratom, traditionally used as a pain reliever in Southeast Asia, is now a widely used recreational substance in countries like Thailand, there is a growing need for mental-health awareness surrounding its use due to its opioid-like properties and serious safety concerns.
- General-news outlets and crime-and-justice departments are keen to monitor the unregulated kratom industry following events such as Kanlaya's death, emphasizing the importance of rigorous regulation and public education for the well-being of consumers.
