WHAT'S ON THAILAND

True to what we have come to expect in Thailand, folks in business (and government) here are more concerned about protecting tourism income than helping people and families, especially when they are foreigners staying in cheap guest houses.

There are a number of emerging theories and stories how two unrelated people staying next to each other dies from the same mysterious illness. There is also a good discussion in this Phuket related forum:

Poisoning suspected after two tourists deaths at Phi Phi

What most of us do know (who are very familiar with Thailand) is that a foreigner in Thailand seems to have little value to Thailand other than the foreign currency they bring into the country. Foreign tourists are often murdered in Thailand and the authorities end up reporting most of these deaths as suicides.

So, it somes as no surprise that doctors and business owners on Phi Phi island would like the world to believe that the deaths of two unrelated people staying in adjacent rooms in the same guest house was caused by "heavy drinking".

I would not be surprised if we hear from authorities that the two people killed themselves. After all, this is Thailand, and the more you stay, the more you realize how little value is placed on life here, especially foreign tourists who have little money and do not stay in 4 and 5 star resorts.