An investigation has opened into the deaths of two Canadian women on the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi. The bodies of sisters Noemi and Audrey Belanger were discovered by a maid at the Phi Phi Palms Residence Hotel on Friday. Vomit was found in the room and police are working on the theory that the women may have died as a result of a toxic reaction. Canadian consular officials in Bangkok are providing assistance to the family and liaising with the Thai authorities.
In May 2009, there were similar fatalities on Phi Phi. An American woman and a Norwegian woman staying at the Laleena guest-house died from what was also believed to have been a toxic reaction although post-mortems in the United States and Norway failed to pinpoint the exact cause of death. At this stage there is no indication that the 2009 deaths are linked to the latest tragedies, but comparisons are already being made by some residents on Phi Phi.
In 2011, there was a series of fatalities involving visitors who had stayed at the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai which were initially attributed to food poisoning. Subsequent investigations suggested the cause of deaths may have been related to chemicals used in the cleaning treatments of the rooms. The Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai is currently being demolished.
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