Contaminated Food May Have Killed Canadian Sisters: Phi Phi Island

[crazykopite]

The Tha authorties do not have a clue I even noticed in the news report that drugs were found in the room such as ibuprofen these are over trhe counter tablets and I would imagine at least 90% of the population have this type of tablet in the household. The only way of getting to the truth is to have an independant autopsy for these two unfortunate sisters. I really get fed up of the way overseas visitors deaths are handled there seems to be no respect for the bodies what is wrong with placing the remains in bodybags in the room rather than have them lying on concrete outside of the hotel If they were my daughter's I would be distraught at the whole handling of this very sad tragedy. My prayers are with the family of these poor girls whos lives have been taken well before there time may they R.I.P

[Jayman]

There are many pubs that serves a popular cocktail which is made from mushrooms. A tourist said that there were special mushrooms on the menu on Pangan island and Samui island and and also on Phi Phi island. Local name is “Khee Kwai ” or magic mushroom, which is popular among tourists. When consumed, this kind of mushroom will cause heavy intoxication.

Let me get this straight... the police know that illicit drugs are being openly sold to tourists at the pubs and yet no crackdown on this practice is being done? I read stories all the time here about a couple of farangs getting busted for a few grams of cannabis and yet these are actual Thai businesses openly selling cocktails with drugs in them. This county never ceases to amaze. They truly are "Amazing Thailand"

Nothing amazing about it, they pay their 'fees' hence no crackdown.

That you can pay a fee to openly commit a crime without punishment is "amazing" to me.

[Semper]

There are many pubs that serves a popular cocktail which is made from mushrooms. A tourist said that there were special mushrooms on the menu on Pangan island and Samui island and and also on Phi Phi island. Local name is “Khee Kwai ” or magic mushroom, which is popular among tourists. When consumed, this kind of mushroom will cause heavy intoxication.

Let me get this straight... the police know that illicit drugs are being openly sold to tourists at the pubs and yet no crackdown on this practice is being done? I read stories all the time here about a couple of farangs getting busted for a few grams of cannabis and yet these are actual Thai businesses openly selling cocktails with drugs in them. This county never ceases to amaze. They truly are "Amazing Thailand"

Nothing amazing about it, they pay their 'fees' hence no crackdown.

That you can pay a fee to openly commit a crime without punishment is "amazing" to me.

Agree, but quite normal in this country.

[GentlemanJim]

There are many pubs that serves a popular cocktail which is made from mushrooms. A tourist said that there were special mushrooms on the menu on Pangan island and Samui island and and also on Phi Phi island. Local name is “Khee Kwai ” or magic mushroom, which is popular among tourists. When consumed, this kind of mushroom will cause heavy intoxication.

Let me get this straight... the police know that illicit drugs are being openly sold to tourists at the pubs and yet no crackdown on this practice is being done? I read stories all the time here about a couple of farangs getting busted for a few grams of cannabis and yet these are actual Thai businesses openly selling cocktails with drugs in them. This county never ceases to amaze. They truly are "Amazing Thailand"

Because the people that own the illegal businesses on these small islands are the policemen. Nobody can 'storm' the island to investigate, the boatmen call the police everytime they are taking people over, if there are any officials or DSI etc, then the police on the island get 30 mins notice.

[Jayman]

There are many pubs that serves a popular cocktail which is made from mushrooms. A tourist said that there were special mushrooms on the menu on Pangan island and Samui island and and also on Phi Phi island. Local name is “Khee Kwai ” or magic mushroom, which is popular among tourists. When consumed, this kind of mushroom will cause heavy intoxication.

Let me get this straight... the police know that illicit drugs are being openly sold to tourists at the pubs and yet no crackdown on this practice is being done? I read stories all the time here about a couple of farangs getting busted for a few grams of cannabis and yet these are actual Thai businesses openly selling cocktails with drugs in them. This county never ceases to amaze. They truly are "Amazing Thailand"

Because the people that own the illegal businesses on these small islands are the policemen. Nobody can 'storm' the island to investigate, the boatmen call the police everytime they are taking people over, if there are any officials or DSI etc, then the police on the island get 30 mins notice.

That's ridiculous. They can do like they always do and send a "volunteer" white guy to do the deed with marked money. After the deed has been done then send in the cavalry to lock up all the bad guys...

[kjhbigv]

Methanol poisoning

Why only two victims then ?

1. We have a serial killer

2. People eating puffer fish

3. rat poison

4. Arsenic

etc etc etc....

If any family members are reading some of the drivel posted on this subject.....it must be really causing them distress

I beleive the only conclusion that can be stated with any certain fact is that thai officials will attempt to cover up exactly what happend if it paints Thailand in a bad light and affects their "tourism"

The contaminated food theory doesn't hold very well if you consider that only these 2 got sick.

Just two people died .

Just like in the Chiangmai incident, we don't know how many others may have gotten sick, or where, then recovered and failed to report it. And, if other victims where Thai, we might not hear of it at all.

Indeed, remember the deceased Thai Tourist guide who was sneaked out the fire exit!

[MEL1]

I said it once, and I'll re-iterate.

It is near to obvious it is foul play because 2 people, one aged 20 and the other aged 26, do not succumb to the same state at the same time. Even as sisters, their immune systems are/were different. One of them was prevented to go for help upon seeing the other deteriorate, or they were both simultaneously prevented from doing anything. The latter cries out to me.

However, I do hope I am far from right.

-mel.

[JoeLing]

With so many forensic experts on this forum I'm surprised one of you doesn't head down to Phi Phi to investigate.

Well two of them have already talked about flying to Phi Phi to offer their help.

Suppose they have to wait till Phiphi get's an airport

Edited June 19, 2012 by JoeLing

[Payboy]

There are many pubs that serves a popular cocktail which is made from mushrooms. A tourist said that there were special mushrooms on the menu on Pangan island and Samui island and and also on Phi Phi island. Local name is “Khee Kwai ” or magic mushroom, which is popular among tourists. When consumed, this kind of mushroom will cause heavy intoxication.

Let me get this straight... the police know that illicit drugs are being openly sold to tourists at the pubs and yet no crackdown on this practice is being done? I read stories all the time here about a couple of farangs getting busted for a few grams of cannabis and yet these are actual Thai businesses openly selling cocktails with drugs in them. This county never ceases to amaze. They truly are "Amazing Thailand"

Nothing amazing about it, they pay their 'fees' hence no crackdown.

That you can pay a fee to openly commit a crime without punishment is "amazing" to me.

Amazing is so 2011. More like a Miracle this year.

[Justaword]

With the latest details released, almost certainly rat poison.

It's true that the only powerful anti-coagulants easily avalaible on the market is "professional" liquid concentrated rat poison. And, even in western countries there is a high rate of domestic accidents related to toxic substances stored in un-labelled containers. But, as much as it's a valid one, it's still only a speculation. The positive thing in the last "official" announcement is that id doesn't exclude a chemical agent. And that the family has now more control on what will happen next.

Sent from my microwave using Thaivisa Connect App

[belg]

let's blame the farang, blame it on drugs they wanted to take, do not blame thai because loss of face issues, it's a cultural thing

RIP for the girls

[how241]

Answers please.......just answers. This is a diabolical torture for their families, get the pathologists in and find out, now. Fly in Canadian pathologists to assist.

We can do without conspiracy theories, just answers.

Please.

+1....Please-let's get the truth out.

[GentlemanJim]

There are many pubs that serves a popular cocktail which is made from mushrooms. A tourist said that there were special mushrooms on the menu on Pangan island and Samui island and and also on Phi Phi island. Local name is “Khee Kwai ” or magic mushroom, which is popular among tourists. When consumed, this kind of mushroom will cause heavy intoxication.

Let me get this straight... the police know that illicit drugs are being openly sold to tourists at the pubs and yet no crackdown on this practice is being done? I read stories all the time here about a couple of farangs getting busted for a few grams of cannabis and yet these are actual Thai businesses openly selling cocktails with drugs in them. This county never ceases to amaze. They truly are "Amazing Thailand"

Because the people that own the illegal businesses on these small islands are the policemen. Nobody can 'storm' the island to investigate, the boatmen call the police everytime they are taking people over, if there are any officials or DSI etc, then the police on the island get 30 mins notice.

That's ridiculous. They can do like they always do and send a "volunteer" white guy to do the deed with marked money. After the deed has been done then send in the cavalry to lock up all the bad guys...

Well it may be ridiculous but that's the way it is. My wife knows of one policeman who has been running all the rackets on one island for 20 years + . And be sure that the island police pay 'gratitude' money to the senior boys at the nearest mainland stations.

[dingdang]

the "culture of not loosing face" is not new, worldwide people are suffering from it...

its elsewhere just called "sociopathy", strongly related to narcissim...

[OliverPludra]

Impossible to die from magic mushrooms, the deadly dosage is way too high, if there is any.

Also they're not called khee khwai (buffalo shit), but "het khee kwhai" (buffalo shit mushrooms), as most psychedelic mushrooms grow in areas with lot's of buffalo dung.

[MEL1]

Well, sorry, but I just can't see two well educated girls, one about to start a career in Dentistry and both of whom returned to their room 'early', having participated in drug taking. Judging by their educational backgrounds reported, I can neither see them having been inebriated too!

That would lead to either a case of unfortunate severe poisoning, yet it is latterly reported that the bin was pretty much aimed at well with vomit, and it wasn't a projectile filled room, thus they were able to walk; or that they were forced to remain in the room whilst being ill, and their deaths over-seen to the end, to cover up what went on prior.

Only my opinion, based upon my experiences here, but I am entitled to it.

-mel.

[Interman]

"We planned to send the bodies for post mortem at Surat Thani Hospital because Krabi Hospital has no forensic doctor. However, so far, we have been unable to move them because their relatives and the Canadian Embassy representative who came to Krabi did not allow us to do so," the director said.

Nice to see our embassy officials doing the right thing, assuming it’s because they know how incompetent the officials are and the likeliness of a cover up.

I hope it’s because they are going to do an autopsy in Canada asap.

[Ben9]

As far as the simiarites with Downtown inn are concerned it seems it could be a repeat of what happened there.

not sure if already posted as havent read all pages but its an intresting article

http://travelinasia.hubpages.com/hub/downtown-inn

[Dukeleto]

Methanol poisoning

Why only two victims then ?

1. We have a serial killer

2. People eating puffer fish

3. rat poison

4. Arsenic

etc etc etc....

If any family members are reading some of the drivel posted on this subject.....it must be really causing them distress

I beleive the only conclusion that can be stated with any certain fact is that thai officials will attempt to cover up exactly what happend if it paints Thailand in a bad light and affects their "tourism"

Exactly, but your post is also going to cause them as much distress by assuming a cover up, which I agree with by the way.

[cusanus]

Answers please.......just answers. This is a diabolical torture for their families, get the pathologists in and find out, now. Fly in Canadian pathologists to assist.

We can do without conspiracy theories, just answers.

Please.

Doesn't sound like either "magic" mushrooms or methanol to me, but be careful NEVER to eat wild mushrooms in Thailand. Eight people died within hours of eating some in my village near Chiang Mai. Later, I mistook the younger ones myself, ate quite a bit, really, and that's how it went. Very early and heavy vomiting, actually from both ends, is all that saved me. My blood pressure was 56/55 when I left the hospital. I didn't voluntarily go to the hospital, refused treatment, and ran for a well stocked pharmacy asap fearing that my liver would give out soon and that would be it. I took 48 grams vitamin C per day split into six doses of four, each dose with two 140 mg tabs of silymarin and two 100mg tabs of ALA, for ten days consecutive. I stopped for about half a day on the sixth and knew right away that was a mistake. Any of these three treatments are known to cure liver disease and large hospitals that do this kind of thing have near zero mortality rates from mushroom poisoning. Oh, the culprit in this case is known as Clarkeinda trachoides, so be careful, it's almost always fatal. Looks like a shaggy mane when young, flattens out later with the little tufts. I've got photos. They still pop up quite often in that area, but I don't live there anymore.

[dingdang]

It was later discovered that American tourist Soraya Pandola, 33, died in January of 2011 after using the swimming pool and facilities at The Downtown Inn.

from ben9s link

the victims for which the cause of death was established, died of "heart swelling".

Edited June 19, 2012 by dingdang

[Soutpeel]

Judging by their educational backgrounds reported, I can neither see them having been inebriated too!

So you are suggesting only poorly educated people that get inebriated ?.....this thread is getting more bizzare..

[happysanook]

Answers please.......just answers. This is a diabolical torture for their families, get the pathologists in and find out, now. Fly in Canadian pathologists to assist.

We can do without conspiracy theories, just answers.

Please.

Doesn't sound like either "magic" mushrooms or methanol to me, but be careful NEVER to eat wild mushrooms in Thailand. Eight people died within hours of eating some in my village near Chiang Mai. Later, I mistook the younger ones myself, ate quite a bit, really, and that's how it went. Very early and heavy vomiting, actually from both ends, is all that saved me. My blood pressure was 56/55 when I left the hospital. I didn't voluntarily go to the hospital, refused treatment, and ran for a well stocked pharmacy asap fearing that my liver would give out soon and that would be it. I took 48 grams vitamin C per day split into six doses of four, each dose with two 140 mg tabs of silymarin and two 100mg tabs of ALA, for ten days consecutive. I stopped for about half a day on the sixth and knew right away that was a mistake. Any of these three treatments are known to cure liver disease and large hospitals that do this kind of thing have near zero mortality rates from mushroom poisoning. Oh, the culprit in this case is known as Clarkeinda trachoides, so be careful, it's almost always fatal. Looks like a shaggy mane when young, flattens out later with the little tufts. I've got photos. They still pop up quite often in that area, but I don't live there anymore.

Next time, simply tap the stem to see if it bruised blue would of told you.

[yaangcome]

Is it possible they are importing boot leg booze from Laos or a like. First time we were in Chaing Mai we took a day trip to Chaing Rai & over to Laos, we purchased boot leg booze JW Black & JD & some type of vodka. Price was around $3.00 Aus per bottle it even came in a box like the real thing. When we got back to resort in Chaing Mai staff advised us not to drink use to clean engine or drain only. I tried to give to them but they refused, that told us something. A young staff member was sent to our room by management and ask us to tip the booze out, I could not do it so this young Thai lass tipped it down the sink for me. Never purchased anything like it again.

[webfact]

Two Canadians' bodies to be sent to Ramathibodi Hospital

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police will send the bodies of two Canadians who died mysteriously at a hotel in Phi Phi Island to the Ramathibodi Hospital for autopsies.

Audrey and Noemi Belanger were found dead at the Palm Residence Hotel last Friday. Both were in their 20s.

The autopsies will be conducted at the Ramathibodi Hospital upon the request of the Canada embassy in Bangkok.

Institute of Forensic Medicine's commander Maj General Somboon Tantrakul Tuesday said the bodies were initially sent to his institute by the Mueang Krabi Police Station.

-- The Nation 2012-06-19

[Reasonableman]

Well, sorry, but I just can't see two well educated girls, one about to start a career in Dentistry and both of whom returned to their room 'early', having participated in drug taking. Judging by their educational backgrounds reported, I can neither see them having been inebriated too!

That would lead to either a case of unfortunate severe poisoning, yet it is latterly reported that the bin was pretty much aimed at well with vomit, and it wasn't a projectile filled room, thus they were able to walk; or that they were forced to remain in the room whilst being ill, and their deaths over-seen to the end, to cover up what went on prior.

Only my opinion, based upon my experiences here, but I am entitled to it.

-mel.

Yes, everyone's entitled to an opinion, and others are entitled to make of it what they will.

[Nisa]

Dr Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, head of the Disease Control Department, said the initial investigation in the room found a large quantity of vomit and faeces. There was evidence of bleeding

The fact that it appears they didn't seek help for their illness and there are no other reports of food poisoning, leads me to suspect they willfully ingested what they believed was an illegal drug.

[MEL1]

Judging by their educational backgrounds reported, I can neither see them having been inebriated too!

So you are suggesting only poorly educated people that get inebriated ?.....this thread is getting more bizzare..

Judging by their educational backgrounds reported, I can neither see them having been inebriated too!

So you are suggesting only poorly educated people that get inebriated ?.....this thread is getting more bizzare..

Your conclusion to suggest the above is the bizarre here.

We are talking about two young ladies, one of whom was due to start a dental career.

How many dentists do you know get pissed up, and at that young female ones?

Don't try to distort meanings and interpretations please.

-mel.

[MEL1]

Dr Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, head of the Disease Control Department, said the initial investigation in the room found a large quantity of vomit and faeces. There was evidence of bleeding

The fact that it appears they didn't seek help for their illness and there are no other reports of food poisoning, leads me to suspect they willfully ingested what they believed was an illegal drug.

"The FACT that it APPEARS they didn't seek help"???? That's paradoxical in its own right....

Do you think they could seek help if they had local BIBs guns pointed at them in the room, or similar?

-mel.

[diehard60]

When are the officials from the great Public Health Ministry going to do their jobs and stop taking handouts??????