Ya ba

Ya ba (Thai: ยาบ้า, Lao: ຢາບ້າ, literally 'mad drug'), formerly known as ya ma (Thai: ยาม้า; literally 'horse drug'), are tablets containing a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine. The illicit use of this drug combination has caused problems, particularly in South East Asian countries. Ya ba (Thai: ยาบ้า, Lao: ຢາບ້າ, literally 'mad drug'), formerly known as ya ma (Thai: ยาม้า; literally 'horse drug'), are tablets containing a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine. The illicit use of this drug combination has caused problems, particularly in South East Asian countries. From ya khayan (hard-working pill) in its early days to ya maa (horse medicine), the drug was named ya ba (crazy pill) in 1996. It was given to horses when pulling carts up steep hills and for other strenuous work in Shan State in Burma. The slang terms for ya ba in Burma are 'kyethi' (literally, 'button'), 'athi', and 'palarkar'. In Malaysia, ya ba is known in Malay as “pil kuda” (literally, “horse pill”). It is commonly found in the state of Kelantan, which is on the border with Thailand. The name commonly used for it in the Philippines and Indonesia is 'shabú'. In north Thailand it is often referred to as 'chocalee' due to the somewhat sweet taste ya ba leaves in the mouth and its strong chocolate smell. The name commonly used for it in China is 'ma-goo' or 'ma-guo'. In Bangladesh, it's colloquially known as 'baba', 'guti', 'laal', 'khawon', 'loppy', 'bichi'. In Northeast India, especially Manipur, a major trade route of drugs, it is commonly called Y(wai), Angangba/Lal (red), Katha, Prithibi, Maru, WY. Ya ba is sometimes called 'bhul bhuliya' in India.