Mysterious tourist deaths in South

Initial speculation from police has been that the women - one from Norway and the other American - may have suffered food poisoning.

Jill Sheree St Onge, 27, from Seattle, and Julie Michelle Bergheim, 22, died within hours of one another and both reportedly suffered severe stomach pains prior to dying.

The women stayed in adjacent rooms in the Laleena Guest House, which has been closed while their deaths are investigated and autopsies conducted.

St Onge's fiance, American Russell Kells has been quoted as saying he was struck by a chemical smell when he entered the room on Saturday.

However, there has since been speculation that the women may have eaten cassava that was not properly cooked. Police say they have yet to get results of autopsies.

Woman mysteriously dies in Thailand : ABC7 online

Meanwhile, a Swiss woman was found dead early yesterday on a popular beach at Krabi.

The body of Edith Jungen, aged about 30, was found in shallow water on Noppharat Beach in Tambon Ao Nang in Krabi's Muang district. The strap of Jungen's handbag was tied around her neck.

Krabi's deputy governor Chailert Pinyoratchote told a press conference yesterday afternoon the case did not appear to be a murder. An initial medical examination found no trace of physical assault or rape.

Officials would wait for autopsy results in two days.

Dr Kamolrat Jintanawilas from Krabi Hospital said an initial examination found no major wounds, except a slight scratch on the woman's forehead, thus it was more likely to be a drowning.

Lieut Colonel Wittaya Meklai said Jungen arrived at Andaman Sunset Hotel on Tuesday and checked out a day later before she was found dead not far from the hotel. Inquiries revealed a male foreign friend picked her up from the hotel after she checked out, he said.

Police were looking to see if young thugs may have come to rob her valuables, as tourists often sit near the beach in the evening. She may have resisted and been strangled with the bag strap before thieves fled with her belongings.

Witnesses told of seeing her in an agitated state. There had also been a report of a phone call from Switzerland allegedly asking the hotel to open her room and take care of her because she feared someone would attack her.

Police were also probing to see if Jungen may have committed suicide.