The Hidden Dangers of Traditional Rice Alcohol in Arakan State

By Admin 28 Oct 2025

Written by Mawra Zaw

If you think that the Arakanese people like alcohol that much, there are actually many Arakanese who don't drink alcohol. But most of them drink it in some way. I also read an article titled "Arakan State Without Beer" written by the Institute for Strategy and Policy - Myanmar.

With the ban on the sale of Myanmar military products such as beer and liquor, as well as foreign-made alcohol, in Arakan State, young and old alike have no alternative. The only thing left is traditional alcohol called "rice alcohol." Rice alcohol is fermented with a chemical called "yeast."

If rice alcohol is produced with common sense, it will contain fewer harmful chemicals. However, since the Myanmar military completely banned the production and sale of alcohol and beer in Arakan State, this rice alcohol has become a local product, and many commercial sellers have emerged. In particular, the brewing process has become more diverse.

Rice alcohol is mixed with medicinal plants to turn it from white to red, and it is also sold as medicine by soaking it in green leaves. However, it often contains chemicals like indrine, which are completely toxic to humans. This is truly frightening.

In fact, when the sale of alcohol and beer produced by the Myanmar military was banned in Arakan State, young and middle-aged people welcomed it. From what I learned, some young people believed they had formulas for making their own alcohol and beer and that these would soon be implemented to replace the military-produced beverages that were banned.

But as time went by, the things they were waiting for didn't come, and people began to hear negative comments about alcohol - especially from those who sometimes entertain guests and drink. Young people who enjoy a glass or two of beer with friends don't find any harm in the sharp aroma of rice alcohol, also known as "wild alcohol."

Although it's okay not to drink alcohol, for many, alcohol is important for socializing and for moments of freedom and happiness. In rural areas of Arakan State, adults often drink a glass of rice alcohol when they return from the fields.

Drinking alcohol can help relieve colds, fatigue, and bad moods, and it is also good to drink with meals. Similarly, hard workers often drink a glass of rice alcohol when they get home in the evening because it helps them feel better and sleep better.

However, recently, the number of young and middle-aged people drinking alcohol has increased. Especially because of cheap alcohol, people are suffering from diseases and losing their lives. Some young and middle-aged people who are unable to find jobs start drinking alcohol out of distraction, and the consequences of this are fatal.

That's why in 2011, an anti-alcohol group called the "Non-Alcohol Drinkers' Association" was formed in Rathedaung Township. Its members taught about the harmful effects of alcohol and even published pamphlets. Later, this group disappeared for unknown reasons.

In 2016, women led a campaign to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in Hnget Ye Kauk Village in Minbya Township and Magyikyun Village in Ramree Township. They banned the sale and consumption of alcohol with the slogan "No Alcohol Allowed."

In Taungup Township and Ramree Township, locals protested twice and demanded that the sale and consumption of alcohol be banned, but this was not achieved.

In fact, counterfeit liquor markets have existed in Arakan State since the military regime's rule. They have been producing and distributing counterfeit local whiskeys, foreign whiskeys, and many other alcoholic beverages. Pardaleik Village in Sittwe Township is a well-known place for producing such counterfeit liquor.

Driven by the greed of businessmen, no authorities have stopped the flow of counterfeit alcohol into the Arakan State market. The protests mentioned above have not been effective, so the cycle of counterfeit alcohol has continued.

Recently, the Arakan Army banned the Myanmar military's alcohol, which was welcomed by the public, but at present, the negative effects and toxic content of local rice alcohol cannot be prevented. The Arakan Army has even issued a warning that rice alcohol should not be consumed. The question arises as to why they did not ban it when they know that it contains many toxins.

Young people are also aware of the harmful effects of rice alcohol. That is why there are now questions about alcohol. If Myanmar military alcohol is not allowed to be sold, and Indian alcohol and beer are also banned, can't rice alcohol be regulated to make it less toxic? Is it right to ban the sale of alcohol in Arakan State just because it is produced by the Myanmar military?

Another question is why no action is taken against the KTVs run by businessmen and wealthy people, even though they sell alcohol and beer. The only two KTVs that are popular right now are on the Bangladesh border.

I have also heard that Arakan Army soldiers, other soldiers, and Rakhine and Muslim businessmen often drink and party all night long in these KTVs. It is not wrong to relax and have fun, but since there are displaced people throughout the border area and terrorists such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army are active, the locals say that they do not like this kind of leisure time, singing, shouting, and relaxing.

On the other hand, during a time of crisis, when the people are experiencing various kinds of suffering and are encouraging, supporting, and contributing to a great revolution, it is not fair to make the poor class suffer from rice alcohol and chemical poisons.

In short, drinking alcohol is not a good thing at all. However, for a society, alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer are really necessary. Even if we do not encourage foreign alcohol, we should at least work to produce local alcohol in a systematic and clean way.

During this time of crisis, I think it is necessary to think about a society that is buying liver disease and other chronic diseases with money by drinking fake rice alcohol and chemical rice alcohol solutions.

It is with great sadness that I write this, and I feel sorry for some of the friends who were lost due to the depression and frustration caused by traditional rice alcohol during the war.