Didn't think we could post links?>>>

http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phi-phi-poiso...rd-lives-11076/

The story about the Norwegians in that article is not true :

"Police Lieutenant Pantanan Sangtong, who investigated the deaths, said the Norwegian woman died around 8am on Sunday at Phi Phi Hospital. She had been staying with her boyfriend at a local guesthouse, the officer said."

She had no boyfriend there, they were 2 female students on a vacation, they had been studying in Sydney, Australia and was expected back to Norway after a short holiday in Thailand. They both got poisened and the 22 year old died.
But her friend survived and it would be very interesting to know what happened the last 24 hours before the tragedy.

A sad story this , its on the front page in the biggest Norwegian tabloids today.
It will scare a lot of tourists away.

Agree. and she should invite some outside forensic experts to assist.

The guest house should be immediately identified, put off limits, and investigated by people appointed by Ms Pornthip. It's doubtful that any other Thai authorities would do a completely objective and thorough investigation. Police have too many allegiances to consider to be able to do a professional job - plus they've proven not to have the skills, tools and ability to 'think outside the box' that's needed in such an important scenario.

I also agree that something like Legionnaires disease could be the culprit. It breeds in Air.Con drip water, or just about any standing water.

From healthscout.com: "Symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease: The symptoms are similar to those of many other respiratory diseases, making it difficult to differentiate and diagnose. Symptoms may include dry coughing, high fever, chills, diarrhea, shortness of breath, chest pains, headaches, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Occasionally, bloody sputum is produced. Lethargy and confusion can occur in progressive, serious cases."
However, it appears to not be a fast-acting or often fatal, to wit; "Although Legionnaires' disease is uncommon, it should be considered in anyone (particularly an elderly or chronically ill person) who has a respiratory tract infection that worsens over a period of about four days. Legionnaires' disease usually makes its presence known within a week of infection. The disease can initially be mild and appear to be an episode of the flu."

So sad to hear about senseless loss of life

I posted the name of the guesthouse earlier. Laleene as told to me by Robert, Jills' brother and he was talking to Ryan in Bangkok on Skype as he emailed it to me.

According to http://dt.no/article/20090506/NYHET/343229438/1063/NYHET the 46 year-old Norwegian who died last month, stayed at the same hotel as the two women...Time to close it down?

Three people dead all stayed in the same guest house now you would think that would be logical avenue for the investigation to follow but this from the latest update in the Phuketwan.

Phuketwan Updating News


Brilliant Sherlock. Fair bet everyman and his dog on the island had a drink.

Well, more guest stayed there and didn't get sick. So it is logical one seeks the comon factor in trying to find the cause.

Traces of cyanide found in the Norwegian girl according to their newspapers :-(

Even the local Muslim population?

Another news article from VG , lets try with a translation.

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=562835


Dream vacation in Thailand had an unpleasant interruption for Tor Martin Austad from Ulsteinvik, Norway. He was very ill and had symptoms similar to the two women who died over the weekend.

Last summer, the 26 year old norwegian spent his vacation with his girlfriend. Two of the weeks was spent in the popular tourist destination Phi Phi Island, Thailand.

- The night before we were leaving the island, I suddenly lost my appetite. During the night I woke and felt very sick. The whole night I spent in the toilet , I throw up for hours, "says Austad to VG.

There has been a poison alert after a Norwegian woman (22) and an American woman (26) suddenly died within few hours. The friend to the Norwegian was also sick, but survived after having received treatment in hospital.

Police Investigator Torphan Phusunpiae, says that both the police and doctors believe that they are poisoned by food.

- Doctors who examined the women said that they had been poisoned through food, "he said.

VG have been in contact with the hospital where the surviving Norwegian woman (20) was admitted. They say that her condition was very serious when she arrived, and that she was very dehydrated after throwing up. Preliminary investigations of the dead women showed that they were almost empty of fluid in the body.

Tor Martin Austad also felt dehydrated and had a low body temperature

- They took lots of tests and said that I most likely had been food poisened. But because I felt better the next day, and only wanted to get away from the island, I never received answers from the hospital.

This post has been edited by balo: 2009-05-06 23:46:21

I lived on PP for three years and have many muslim friends there, the majority do drink.

This post has been edited by Soupdragon: 2009-05-07 00:12:11

I just wonder why someone said that food poisoning can't kill quickly. Why not? 2-3 weeks hardly? If I have understood correctly, severe food poisoning can occur instantly and make the victim unconscious in a very short time. Here's something related below.

http://library.thinkquest.org/15873/kitche...poisoning.shtml

What Causes Food Poisoning?
Micro-organisms are the most common cause of food poisoning. As they occur in the soil, air, water and on animals, it is highly likely that they are present on all uncooked foods.

Bacterial food poisoning is of two types:

Infection by the bacteria itself which grows rapidly once inside the digestive tract of humans. This causes nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. Salmonella and Campylobacter Jejuni are responsible for this type of food poisoning.
Infection through the eating food which contains toxins produced by bacteria, such as Clostridium botulum, Staphylococcus and Bacillus Cereus.

Salmonella

Salmonella contamination is the leading cause of food poisoning, causing diarrhoea, cramps, nausea and vomiting. Salmonella is common in raw meat, poultry and eggs and although rarely fatal, it can kill the elderly, very young or ill. Typhoid, a disease no longer common, is caused by a strain of Salmonella.

Escherichia Coli

Although E Coli is a normal inhabitant of the stomach, and quite harmless, some strains can cause infection, and can be deadly. E. Coli is one of the most common causes of upset stomachs in travellers. It is transferred through faeces, and affected animal products. Two strains which occur in under-cooked meat produce toxins which attack our kidneys and can result in death.
Poor sanitary habits increase the possibility of E Coli food poisoning; the main symptom being diarrhoea.

In 1996, an outbreak of E. coli infection among Japanese school children resulted in 6000 children becoming ill and two actually died.


Campylobacter Jejuni

Campylobacter is common in chickens and cats and dogs. Consuming undercooked poultry is the main source of this kind of food poisoning, although it is found in other animal meats and raw milk. Contaminated water is another possible source.
Campylobacter is the most common cause of infectious gastro-enteritis in humans, causing diarrhoea, cramps, fever and bloody stools.


Listeria

Listeria can grow in cold or very hot climates, with or without oxygen, particularly in soft cheeses, pates, and meat products which do not contain preservatives. It is of greatest risk when processed foods haven't been prepared hygienically, although it doesn't normally cause problems, as it is destroyed by cooking at 70 Degrees Celcius for several minutes. Listeriosis is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, causing stillbirths and miscariages.

Clostridium Botulinum

Although rare, botulism is the deadliest type of food poisoning - it has even been considered for germ warfare. Caused by an anaerobic organism "Clostridium botulinum", it can occur in home bottled or canned foods where oxygen isn't present.
Botulism develops within 12 - 36 hours after eating and the early symptoms include nausea and vomiting, tiredness, dizziness and headaches, stomach pains and diarrhoea. As the illness progresses, difficulty in speaking and swallowing occurs and finally death from respiratory failure, if not treated in time.


Staphylococcus Aureus

Staphylococcus Aureus (Golden Staph) produces toxins as it multiplies in foods high in protein, such as meats, poultry, eggs, custards and fish. Such foods should be refrigerated as soon as prepared. Heat does not destroy the toxin, which causes retching, vomiting, cramping, diarrhoea, watery stools, sweating, cold clammy skin and dehydration.

Bacillus Cereus

This bacteria is found in starchy foods and spices. Of particular danger in rice, where the spores may be present and boiling doesn't kill the bacteria but allows them to germinate. If the rice is not chilled, but left at room temperature, the bacteria multiply rapidly, producing toxins which can cause violent food poisoning.

Who gets food poisoning?

The most likely people to suffer from food poisoning are the elderly, young children and people who are unwell. Healthy adults are usually less likely to be affected.
In 1994, there was an outbreak of food poisoning at a youth camp in Australia, caused by clostridium perfringens. Cold chicken had been served, which had been cooked the day before, and left to cool for more than two hours before being refrigerated. As a result 230 youths had gastroenteritis, 13 having to be hospitalised.

I know a guy that has a restaurant on Phi-Phi. I'll be back to Krabi in one week, and I will ask him. But my some dont want to speak to load about this!
I remember he mention the price on water on the island, and he was pis.... of by that the tourist use a lot of water! Because of this, there is a possibility that some hotels and restaurants "recycle" some of the water! Ugly but not impossible.

VG again doing everything they can to scare Norwegians from travelling to Phi Phi.....

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=562882

Family of five got sick after a day trip to Phi Phi
The Vacation was a nightmare after a lunch buffet in Phi Phi. Two people have died because of foodpoisening at the same location.
- Four out of five family members were sick. We got diarrhea, vomited, and had a fever. Both my mother and the little girl was in bed all the time, "says Lise Gregersen (39) to VG Nett.
This happened a few weeks ago, on the same island where a Norwegian girl (22) died after being poisened, and her friend (20) now lying in the hospital.
The family from Oslo was on a day trip to Phi Phi from Kamala Beach on Phuket when they visited the island 14. April.
We were on a sort of restaurant where we had a buffet. It was not so many other dining places, "says Gregersen.
Quickly after the dinner the mother noticed that something was wrong with our little girl. - She was very sick the same night.
19. April, the family left home after 2 weeks holiday in the "land of smiles." The family suffered for several weeks with stomach illness.
- It came and went. My mother recovered only a week ago, "says Gregersen
She said they are now considering to seek a doctor, after reading about the "death bacteria" which took the life of a Norwegian girl in the island paradise.
- I am thinking maybe we should take a bacteria test.
Other families are also reporting that they have had problems with foodpoisening in Phi Phi.

- Six of eight family members was sick after visiting Phi Phi, Morten Aasheim told VG, he lives in Bangkok. He says that those who were sick had to seek medical help. - Everyone in my family was so sick that we called a doctor for a home visit in our apartment in Bangkok. And the conclusion was some kind of food poisoning.

This post has been edited by balo: 2009-05-07 01:20:31

And now everyone who have been to Phi Phi wants to see their faces in the newspaper.... Getting diarrhea after a medium rare steak isnt quite the same as beeing hospitalized and die, is it......

I wonder how much the paper is paying for each "story"

Get serious. 2 people died - that we have heard of. There is an issue with the food safety and personally I don't give a dam_n what they pay. You should really put your values in order. Go wonder and have a snack at Phi Phi...

My sympathies to their family and friends. Whatever happened, it is tragedy to suddenly lose someone so young and full of life. So far from home is all the harder I'm sure.

I thank anyone for posting information on here. It is likely that family and friends will find themselves here in their search for information and answers.
Has anyone seen any mention of of this in the 2 large English papers? I see nothing online. If their audience is the english reading and speaking population how can this not be considered newsworthy? I already know the answer. But it is no less troubling.

It could be cyanide.
Andaman Times has this article today:
http://www.andamantimes.com/krabi/phi-phi/...-cyanide-found/

"Cyanide found – water treatment plant may be cause

Traces of cyanide has been found in the stomach of the Norwegian victim who died at Phi Phi over the weekend. The fiancée of the American woman suspect she was poisoned from chemicals of a nearby water treatment plant.

Published by Andaman News Team - 06/05/2009 - Modified 07/05/2009 A Norwegian newspaper reports tonight that traces of cyanide was found during the preliminary autopsy of 22 year old Julie Michelle Bergheim in Phuket. The fiancée of the American woman suspect she was poisoned from chemicals from a nearby water treatment plant.

Andaman Times has NOT confirmed this information independently.

- We were surprised to find traces of cyanide in her stomach. We decided to send the body for a new autopsy in Bangkok. We do not have any reason to suspect anything at this time, but we can not rule out anything or anyone, said head of police at Phi Phi Islands, Khun Nopadon Klomthong to Nettavisen.

The fiancée of Jill Sheree St. Onge (27) believe she was poisoned from chemicals of a nearby water treatment plant.

- I found out later that there is a water treatment plant right behind the guesthouse. I feel that Jill was poisoned by a chemical from that plant. She spent about 5 more hours in the room than I did. She was just breathing in the fumes for so long. The only reason I did not get deathly ill, is that I kept getting these short breaks from the air in the room, writes Ryan Kells on a family blog."

Hope the police solve this case quickly...Bad publicity for Phi Phi Islands and Thailand. They don't need this.

Values.. exactly. When people make the news because they got sick on phi phi last year, im just wondering what their intentions are.

And my sympathies ARE with the people involved

We NEED definitive confirmation of the guest house that the victims were staying in....

I know a poster claims to have spoken to the brother and has posted the name previously. How he would know the brother we don't know.

It's strange that the same name isn't posted by the mother on her blog on another site. I know if it were my child I would put the name there up front.

The chances are that these people were purposely poisoned probably with cyanide or a mix of drugs.

Don't keep the guest house name secret otherwise there lacks credibility to the whole story....

We could easily be dealing with terrorists here. There are various poisons being tested out there as we speak. These include radiation pills, cyanide caps and nerve gasses. Sorry to say, but western back packers are very vulnerable. The Thai authorities will go with whoever pays them the most only...

A third death on Phi Phi Islands are also reported in Norwegian and Swedish newspapers:
A 46 year old Norwegian man who died a month ago. What's happening...
Translation from Swedish newspaper "Aftonbladet":

http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article5084656.ab

Google translation:

"Poisoned in the tourist paradise had cyanide in the stomach.
In the time of one day two female tourists died after they suddenly become ill on the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand.

In one of them cyanide has been found in the stomach.

A 22-year-old Norwegian died on Monday, just a few hours after a 26-year-old American suddenly became ill and died on the way to hospital. The Norwegian woman's friend also fell ill and was sent to hospital on the mainland, but she recovered.

Police and doctors suspect that they become food poisoned.

New examination
An initial forensic examination has been made of the deceased's body.

"- To our great surprise we found cyanide in her stomach, "says Nopadon Klom Thong, Police on the Phi Phi Islands, to the Norwegian Nettavisen.

The woman's remains are now sent to Bangkok for a full autopsy. Even the American woman is to undergo autopsy in Bangkok.

The Thai police, who examine the deaths, say that they "have no reason to believe that a crime has been committed, but police 'rule out nothing. "

The two Norwegian women had studied in Australia and was only on a short visit to Thailand before returning to Norway.

Became ill
The American woman who lived with her boyfriend, in the same hotel as the Norwegian women, suddenly became ill, writes the Thai Andaman Times newspaper. All those who fell ill had trouble with their stomach - not with the lungs, allowing the exclusion of things that can be spread through inhalation.

According to VG (Norwegian newspaper) a 46-year-old Norwegian man died on the Phi Phi Islands for a month ago. He was on honeymoon when he became ill, probably suffering from food poisoning."

What's happening on the Phi Phi Islands...?
I feel sorry for the victims and their relatives whatever the death causes are.

This post has been edited by Zephyr750C: 2009-05-07 03:18:04

A review of the people involved. If our Norwegian members can confirm about #2's name and that #4 and #5 have been unnamed.

1. The Norwegian woman, of the OP that died, is Julie Michelle Bergheim.

2. The Norwegian woman, that was Julie's companion and got ill but survived, identified as "Venninnen"?

3. The American woman, that died at the same guesthouse, is Jill Sheree St. Onge.

4. There was another Norwegian woman, at the same guesthouse that died in April, is unnamed. Her autopsy is not ready.

5. There was a 46 year-old Norwegian man, that died also in April, is unnamed.

6. There is an unidentified nationality man, that died this month, and found in the waters of Phi Phi and is the subject of the separate thread:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Dead-Foreign...-I-t262091.html

That makes 5 unexplained deaths and 1 nearly died in Phi Phi, all in the very recent past.



This post has been edited by sriracha john: 2009-05-07 04:16:26

Julie Michelle Bergheim
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This post has been edited by sriracha john: 2009-05-07 04:21:12

Jill St. Onge
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Online translation of Norwegian news:
http://www.nettavisen.no/utenriks/article2619616.ece


Police on the Phi Phi Islands said that the preliminary autopsy report shows the discovery of cyanide in the deceased Julie Michelle Bergheim

PHI PHI / OSLO (Manager): The local police on the Phi Phi Islands to the Manager says that cyanide was found in the deceased Julie Michelle Bergheim (22) during the initial investigation of the girl in Phuket.

- To our great surprise, it was found cyanide in her stomach. Surprise was so great that she was sent to a new autopsy in Bangkok, said Police Chief Nopadon Klom Thong on Phi Phi Islands to the Manager.

- We have no reason to believe that there has been any criminal, but can not exclude anyone, Thong said the Manager.

Do not conclude whether the cause of death even if it is to be found cyanide in the survey of Bergheim, this does not mean that the police in any way have concluded with some cause of death. The woman is now an autopsy by forensics in Bangkok. Norwegian authorities on Wednesday afternoon had not received a preliminary autopsy report.

Nettavisen visited Wednesday the guest house where 22-year-old Bergheim lived with her 20-year-old Norwegian girlfriend. In the room was wall to wall "was the American woman Jill (27) lived with her partner, Ryan Kells. Sheree died in hospital on Phi Phi Sunday morning. At the 01am-time Monday night, Bergheim died in the same hospital.

Ryan Kells has previously said that the fiancé Jill had been in the room the whole Saturday, and that he therefore believed that the fiancée had been poisoned by the air in the room. Now, he writes on his blog that he suspects that the fiancée was poisoned by chemicals from water treatment plant nearby, writes the newspaper Andaman Times online. Bergheim lived wall to wall with Jill and Kells. *I take this to mean their rooms were next door to each other.*

Both women were transported to hospital in Phuket, where it was researched. There is also the Norwegian, who also became sick.
- Our primary focus is to get her friend well, while we, in cooperation with the police and central health authorities, putting significant resources into getting resolved the cause of the tragedy, "said Deputy Managing Doctor, Bodin La-ied, said Wednesday morning.

Bodin says that it has taken a number of samples of women, and that all the results of these will not be ready until about three weeks. He says, however, that all three women have been hit in the stomach and intestines, not in the lungs.
He therefore believes that the air in the room have not taken the life of such Kells thinks.
Also the woman who survived have been sick in the stomach. - When she arrived at the hospital, she had in over a day and has been sick for their own statements thrown up a great many times, "he said.

The two women had been out and anchored on Saturday night, and come home in the 02am-time of Sunday night when they both were sick.
- She said that she and the friend was on the bar Saturday night. They had bought a so-called bucket-drink, a great cocktail drink characteristic for Phi Phi.
Drink had so divided between them, says Bodin. They had nausea and threw up. First, they believed that it was alcohol.
After each was oppkastene so many and so powerful that they contacted the hospital.

American Kells told that her partner was in the room the whole Saturday, and that she complained of stomach pain and vomited when he got home by 02am-time night to Sunday. Even had he been poor in the 04am-time.
Fiancée died in other words a few hours later in hospital.

This post has been edited by sriracha john: 2009-05-07 04:58:45