BANGKOK: A Canadian and an Australian tourist have been found dead in a Bangkok hotel after a suspected drug overdose, Thai tourist police said yesterday.
A maid found the bodies of the two men, who are believed to be aged 31 and 27-years-old respectively, slumped in a room in the Park Plaza, a hotel in one of main the tourist drags of the Thai capital late Thursday.
Their bodies were found alongside an unknown white powder and drug taking paraphernalia.
“At the initial autopsy the forensic doctor said they died from a drug overdose,” the tourist policeman, who wanted to remain anonymous said, adding tests will be carried out on the powder.
Thailand’s reputation as a tourist paradise has been tarnished recently after the deaths of several holidaymakers including two Canadian sisters on the resort island of Phi Phi in a suspected poisoning case in June.
In August, a British and a French tourist died in a nightclub blaze on Phuket island in another blow to Thailand’s image -- already tarnished over recent years by deadly political unrest, devastating floods, and concerns about violent crimes against foreigners.
5.5 magnitude quake strikes off Taiwan
Taipei: A 5.5-magnitude earthquake hit the Kaohsiung and Pingtung area Thursday evening.
No damage or casualties were immediately reported, though the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit network was halted for 90 minutes to check for any damage to the tracks and stations, Taiwan news reported.
The tremor hit an intensity of five in the Kaohsiung City area. The quake struck at 6:31 pm with its epicentre located about 22.1 kilometres southeast of the Kaohsiung City Government, 33 kilometres under the coast area of Pingtung County, the Central Weather Bureau said.
Buildings in Taiwan’s second city shook considerably but the local fire department said that initially, no damage or injuries were reported in the area.
An aftershock measuring 4.2 hit the same area at 7:05 pm, according to the weather bureau.
Agencies
