Krabi Police Intervene: Engineer’s DIY Drug Trip Goes Wrong
Krabi, Thailand—A German chemical engineer’s idyllic life in southern Thailand took a disturbing turn when a self-made drug cocktail triggered a severe hallucinatory episode. The incident, which occurred on February 17, 2025, in Krabi’s Sai Thai subdistrict, highlights the dangers of unregulated drug experimentation.
Claude, a 37-year-old chemical engineer living near the Na Hua Non Mosque, was found in a highly agitated state by his 33-year-old Thai wife, Ms. Kan. His erratic movements and paranoid delusions led Ms. Kan to contact the authorities. Responding police and rescue workers from the Miracle of Life Foundation found Claude shirtless and shouting incoherently about his wealth; he initially resisted help, only complying after seeing the officers' restraints.
The cause of Claude’s breakdown was dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a powerful hallucinogen he had synthesized. According to Ms. Kan, Claude, using his chemical expertise, had experimented with various drug combinations for two weeks, culminating in a mixture of DMT and cannabis. This included ingredients such as sodium hydroxide, alcohol, and mimosa plant extracts, a known source of DMT precursors.
«He’s consumed it less than ten times, but the change in his personality has been dramatic,» Ms. Kan told authorities. «He oscillates between moments of spiritual delusion, believing Buddha is present, and episodes of frantic paranoia, trying to escape through windows.»
Police Senior Sergeant Major Teerajet Sommut stated this was Claude’s second documented drug-induced episode. Although no injuries were reported and Claude cooperated, the incident underscores the unpredictable nature of self-experimentation with psychoactive substances. DMT, known for its intense, short-acting psychedelic effects, can cause profound perceptual and cognitive changes, leading to disorientation, anxiety, and even psychosis, especially when combined with other substances like cannabis.
Following the incident, Claude received treatment and rehabilitation at a medical facility. His case serves as a stark reminder of responsible drug use and the dangers of tampering with powerful psychoactive substances without medical supervision. The long-term physical and psychological effects of Claude’s experimentation remain unknown, highlighting the complex interplay of personal autonomy, scientific curiosity, and the potential for self-harm in recreational drug use. Authorities are investigating the source of Claude’s ingredients and whether legal action will be taken.
