Downtown Hotel Chiang Mai - linked to 7 deaths? More controversy
May 17th, 2011, 07:07 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Downtown Hotel Chiang Mai - linked to 7 deaths? More controversy
Thinking of visiting Chiang Mai? I personally would think twice before staying at this hotel before the controversy is definitively laid to rest.
The Downtown hotel in Chiang Mai is still enmeshed in a controversy involving the deaths of 7 people who either stayed at the hotel or visited the place.
THe situation was recently reviewed on NZ TV and the inappropriate use of a pesticide used to eradicate bedbugs was suggested as a possible cause. (the substance is banned in many countries)
THe current Mayor o Chiang Mai appears to insist it is merely “unlucky” or “coincidence”.
The owner of the Downtown Inn is a former mayor of Chiang Mai. He is no stranger to controversy. He once asked the local police to “lecture” women on “improper clothing” during Song Khran. He was disqualified from the Provincial Administration Organisation for vote buying and electoral fraud.
It appears he owns several other hotels too.
If you want a summary of the story refer to the Bangkok Post “spectrum” Sunday May 15 20011
The Downtown hotel in Chiang Mai is still enmeshed in a controversy involving the deaths of 7 people who either stayed at the hotel or visited the place.
THe situation was recently reviewed on NZ TV and the inappropriate use of a pesticide used to eradicate bedbugs was suggested as a possible cause. (the substance is banned in many countries)
THe current Mayor o Chiang Mai appears to insist it is merely “unlucky” or “coincidence”.
The owner of the Downtown Inn is a former mayor of Chiang Mai. He is no stranger to controversy. He once asked the local police to “lecture” women on “improper clothing” during Song Khran. He was disqualified from the Provincial Administration Organisation for vote buying and electoral fraud.
It appears he owns several other hotels too.
If you want a summary of the story refer to the Bangkok Post “spectrum” Sunday May 15 20011
May 17th, 2011, 08:35 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you mean chlorpyrifos?
The substance has been around for decades - it is primarily used in agriculture. There are also domestic versions, but as I understand it they no longer used in "the West" and other countries due to toxicity problems. There has also been litigation over its agricultural use due to risks posed to workers.
The crucial thing is it what concentration what particular type was used, and how was it applied....e.g by a trained expert etc etc.
The NZ theory is by no means proven or accepted.
I think that speculation over this substance as the cause is not the real problem here. The main problem after these deaths has been the wall of denial, incompetence and obstruction put up by the local authorities, mayoral office, medical examiners and police who seem to have taken the attitude that if they deny everything the waters will become sufficiently muddied and problem will go away.
There has also been speculation that the deaths on Phi-Phi a while back may ls be due to similar causes.
I can't see how the hotel or other hotels owned/manged by this company can expect to regain customers without a definitive and convincing "All Clear". I would suggest that their language so far comes nowhere near to achieving this.
The substance has been around for decades - it is primarily used in agriculture. There are also domestic versions, but as I understand it they no longer used in "the West" and other countries due to toxicity problems. There has also been litigation over its agricultural use due to risks posed to workers.
The crucial thing is it what concentration what particular type was used, and how was it applied....e.g by a trained expert etc etc.
The NZ theory is by no means proven or accepted.
I think that speculation over this substance as the cause is not the real problem here. The main problem after these deaths has been the wall of denial, incompetence and obstruction put up by the local authorities, mayoral office, medical examiners and police who seem to have taken the attitude that if they deny everything the waters will become sufficiently muddied and problem will go away.
There has also been speculation that the deaths on Phi-Phi a while back may ls be due to similar causes.
I can't see how the hotel or other hotels owned/manged by this company can expect to regain customers without a definitive and convincing "All Clear". I would suggest that their language so far comes nowhere near to achieving this.
May 17th, 2011, 08:39 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PS - I suggest that "100% perfect results" is an ill-chosen phrase in this situation too. It would be impossible to demonstrate the subsequent health conditions or problems of all visitors over the following months/years sufficiently to make a claim that ANY use of this substance is 100% safe, effective or whatever.
May 25th, 2011, 04:05 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It seems that the weight of opinion is now against the chlorpyrifos theory.
Sadly though this doesn't alter the main problem...that the "authorities" in Chiang Mai are not so much looking for an explanation as a way out.
Sadly though this doesn't alter the main problem...that the "authorities" in Chiang Mai are not so much looking for an explanation as a way out.
