Cover-up alleged in Phi Phi deaths

The narrow pedestrians-only streets of Phi Phi Don are crammed with shops, restaurants and bars. Some bars, tourism bosses allege, sell illegal drug cocktails.

PHUKET: Travel industry leaders in Krabi have accused authorities of covering up the reasons behind the deaths of four tourists who were staying on Phi Phi Don, and have urged the government to crack down on illegal entertainment spots and the sale of narcotics on the island.

Audrey, 20, and Noemi Belanger, 25, were found dead in their room at the Palm Residence Hotel on June 15.

Three years ago, American Jill St Onge, 27, and Norwegian Julie Michelle Bergheim, 22, both died in similar circumstances, while staying in adjoining rooms at the Laleena guest house.

None of the four deaths has been explained, though doctors who performed a post mortem on the Belanger sisters suggested they may have ingested a cocktail that contained the insect repellent Deet.

Krabi Tourism Association (KTA) president, Ittirit Kinglek, said the news had had a massive negative impact on Krabi province's tourism image. (Although most visitors go to Phi Phi from Phuket, the islands are part of Krabi Province.)

"An accurate and credible explanation from state organisations has not been forthcoming and we fear there is a cover-up as usual."

"There have been similar cases in the past, but so far the authorities have failed to find beyond any doubt the cause of death in all the cases, which makes us believe there is a cover-up."

The KTA chief suggested that the provincial authorities must seriously control and restrict entertainment places, not only on Phi Phi Island but also on Lanta Island and at the popular Ao Nang and Railay beaches.

Officials on Lanta retorted that the island should not be included in the criticism because there is a strong anti-drug campaign that has the full support of village communities. Most of the communities are Muslim who have an almost zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs.

But Phi Phi island is an entirely different case; a place where culture and community values have been sacrificed for commercial enterprise.

"The government must organise entertainment venues and ensure that pubs are not serving drinks that are illegal or dangerous," Mr Ittirit said.

Krabi's local police have reportedly been told not to give any details, or pass on any opinions on the deaths of the two Canadians, because it was a "sensitive" issue.

No official explanations have been issued to the media on the cause of death other than an initial report on Canada's CBC News, late last month, that pointed the finger at the insect repellent Deet.

The report claimed that Deet, a neurotoxic insect repellent, is used as an ingredient in a euphoria-inducing cocktail that is popular among young people in Thailand. The drink contains cough syrup, Coke, Deet and ground-up kratom leaves, which are a mild narcotic indigenous to Thailand.

CBC reported that it is thought that an overdose of Deet may have accidentally mixed into the young women's drinks.

It is understood that the cocktail is served illegally at some establishments on Phi Phi Island, but there has been no report from police authorities on efforts to crack down on its sale.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/cover-up-alleged-in-phi-phi-deaths-33333.php