What's going on in Phuket?
 

3 women tourists die of unknown reasons.

2 women were staying at the same guesthouse in rooms right next to each other. An American was staying with her boyfriend and a Norwegian was staying with her girlfriend. Both women got very sick within hours of each other and died few hours later in a local hospital.

A third woman, a Swede, was found dead on the beach the following morning.

Police are ruling out any possibility of physical attacks so poisoning or some kind of a disease is the apparent culprit.

Investigation is on going but it will take some time.

Phuket is already suffering financially. Between a major disaster, the Christmas tsunami few years back, unsafe diving boats sinking, crews and tourists/divers drown, and now this. This kind of news is never good for an area relying purely on tourism.

Hope the Thai authorities get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible.

They, the authority, think it's something in the air filter of the a/c of their room, some type of mold or fungus. Another theory is that it's cyanide poisoning. Also, it's not happening in Phuket but rather at at a bungalow on Phi Phi.

FYI - http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...kills-tourists

I've been reading about this is detail as one of the women who died is from Seattle. They are awaiting autopsy results. The info here also seems to indicate that it was some sort of poisoning.

It wasn't Phuket, but Koh Phi Phi. Some think they ate improperly prepared Cassava french fries.

Sorry Hanuman...I didn't see Phi Phi in your post.

<i>They, the authority, think it's something in the air filter of the a/c of their room, some type of mold or fungus. Another theory is that it's cyanide poisoning. Also, it's not happening in Phuket but rather at at a bungalow on Phi Phi.</i>,

that would explain the 2 women in the guest house, but what about their partners? why didn't they get sick or worse, die?

and then there is the Swedish woman found on the beach the following morning?

Here's further update from an unknown, by me that is, publication: http://www.andamantimes.com/news/phi...inary-autopsy/

What I heard on the news a couple of days ago was that all the people who died or got sick stayed in the same unit at the guesthouse and the theory then was that it was some sort of an airborne pathogen. Some would spend more time in the room than the other and hence the acuteness of the symptom.

If I do hear or read of something new on the local media I will let you know.

Just found this information from a blog about the deaths but I'm not sure about the accuracy or reliability of the information:

UPDATE MAY 9 ; Five Unexplained Tourist Deaths in 1 Month, Phi Phi /Krabi
A Norwegian man died a month ago, ( although exhibited different symptoms ) an unidentified foreign man found dead in the water May 1, no info available on cause of death. ( Has tattoo of a heart, word " Mother" ) and now 2 more un-related female tourists staying in the same hotel, with rooms next to wach other, Laleena Bungalows in Phi Phi, May 4th and May 5th.

(And a woman found apparently strangled to death on a beach in Krabi May 6)

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/print.php?id=9051

oh my goodness!!!! I am planning to be in Phuket/ Phi Phi in 3 weeks time... this is making me nervous!!!

has there been any update?

FireDragon
This post if from May. You will be fine, I'm sure. I'm on my way for my 4th solo trip (17th trip in all) to Bangkok and Samui in just a few weeks. I would not hesitate to make it to Phuket instead of Samui, if plans would turn in that direction.

The woman from Seattle who died, died of food poisoning. She probably would have survived had she gotten medical attention when she became ill. I haven't heard the final info about the woman who was in the next bungalow, but the preliminary results indicated that she, too, likely died of food poisoning.

is this any reason to avoid phi phi?

Bob, there was early speculation that perhaps there was a toxin or pathogen in the bungalows. If that had been bourne out, it might be reason to avoid it. But now that we know the cause, I'd say it's reason to be careful what you eat and to seek treatment if you get very ill.

But I agree, that is no reason to avoid PhiPhi.

Agreed..no reason to avoid Phi Phi.

Kathie, I've been following this story very carefully and understand that cause of death is still not confirmed for any of the victims. I have also searched Seattle press reports, being as one victim was from Seattle, but again, can find no confirmation of cause of death. Are you quite sure that food poisoning was responsible? Can you point me in the direction of this finding?

It seems that some sort of lung congestion was the major factor for Jill St Onge, and that appears to be the opinion of her family. Link to blog below

http://jillstonge.blogspot.com/

Leigh, it was reported in the Seattle papers some time ago. The family said they still wanted more info, but the autopsy results indicated food poisoning... in fact, I believe they named the organism responsible (a bacteria). Once the results were announced in the Seattle paper, I did not see anything else about it.

I'll see if I can find it.

Here's one article, results were preliminary
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2009267699_did_west_seattle_woman_die_of.html?synd ication=rss

I can't find the follow-up (only the one where the family says it was lung congestion) with a quick search.

Thanks Kathie, it seems there is still uncertainty about these tragic events. I wonder if there will ever be a definitive answer, especially now that it is so far into the investigation.