A viral video filmed by locals shows a man apparently under the influence of fentanyl in the streets of Koh Phangan in Thailand, raising alarm among internet users about this 'zombie' drug.
A video shared widely on social media, particularly on Facebook by a local page, shows an individual walking erratically and disjointedly before stopping for long moments in the streets of Koh Phangan, the Thai island renowned for its 'Full Moon Parties'.
The message accompanying the video strikes an ironic tone: it 'welcomes' tourists 'of all ranks' thanks to the free visa policy, implying that visitors of all kinds are now received in the same way on the island. A second post identifies the symptoms as those of fentanyl intoxication, though we cannot confirm this with certainty. This synthetic opioid substance, 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, turns its users into 'zombies' and poses an extreme danger.
"We are observing the state of a tourist on Koh Phangan island whose symptoms resemble those of fentanyl use. This substance, already observed in the United States, is an extremely potent opioid analgesic, 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Users take on the appearance of zombies. It is extremely dangerous."
The hundreds of comments that follow express deep concern: many internet users fear that Koh Phangan will become the scene of an epidemic similar to that ravaging some American cities. Many call for stronger border controls and better monitoring of illicit substances.
This case raises urgent questions about tourist safety and the fight against drug trafficking in Thailand.