TOURISTS are still travelling to Phi Phi in normal numbers despite the mysterious deaths of two young women visitors on the holiday island.

The Governor of Krabi province, Siwa Sirisaowalak, told Phuketwan today that he did not expect a drop in visitors to the popular destination.

Phi Phi Cruiser, one of several ferry companies running daily services that carry hundreds of people to the smaller island from Phuket, confirmed that people were not being deterred by the deaths.

Speculation continues about precisely what killed American Jill St Onge, 27, and Norwegian Jill Bergheim, 22, who happened to be occupying adjoining rooms at Laleena Guesthouse on Phi Phi when they fell ill.

The women died at the small local island hospital within hours of each other, St Onge on May 3, and Bergheim in the early hours of May 4.

Forensic tests being carried out in Bangkok on tissue from the two women are expected to take several weeks to confirm the cause of death.

In its latest report, CNN.com quotes police sources as saying the focus of attention is now on food poisoning.

''Thai police investigators have ruled out poisoning from the nearby water treatment plant, according to police sources on Phi Phi Island and in its province, Krabi,'' CNN.com reports.

However, Phuketwan has been told by Police Lieutenant Pantanan Sangtong, who is heading inquiries, that police have as yet discounted no possible causes.

As CNN.com also reports, police are however concentrating their investigation on whether the women died from food poisoning, either from food or beverages.

Binge drinking of ''Buckets'' mixed from alcohol, fruit and energy drinks to individual taste is part of the Phi Phi culture.

The island attracts large numbers of young travellers who come for the social fun as much as the beauty of what is these days a slightly crowded tropical paradise.

Toxicology takes time and results from the forensic tests might not become available for several weeks, with speculation likely to continue.

While Miss Bergheim and her younger female companion were known to enjoy the nightlife on the island, Ryan Kells, fiance of Miss St Onge, told Phuketwan that she did not drink alcohol before she died.

Because of the nature of the mystery and the fact that so many young people have visited Phi Phi, often inspired by the Leonardo DiCaprio film 'The Beach,' many theories are being raised online by bloggers.

Annie Scott, reporting on gadling.com, writes: ''Naturally there is an investigation into the deaths, but it is expected to take some time.

''If there's anything to be learned here, it's that when you're a stranger in a strange land, keep tabs on your health.

''If you feel sick in the room, get out of the room, and, of course, don't drink too much, but we think it's unlikely that two healthy young women coincidentally drank themselves to death at the same random resort on the same weekend.''

The owners of Laleena believe their guesthouse played no part in the deaths, but perspectives differ.

Ryan Kells said he noted a chemical smell when he and Miss St Onge checked in to Laleena on that fateful Saturday.

Now back in the US, when Phuketwan asked him via email if he had any further thoughts on the case, he sent a brief response: ''Ya methane gas.''


Phi Phi Deaths: Cause 'May Take a Month or More'
Latest Relatives and friends of two women who died in strange circumstances on Phi Phi will probably have to wait several weeks before they learn the cause, and so will islanders.
Phi Phi Deaths: Cause 'May Take a Month or More'

Phi Phi Deaths: Paradise By Day, Party By Night
Take the Tour The deaths of two tourists on Phi Phi remain a mystery as speculation continues about the cause. The island, visited by day trippers in sunshine, also parties long and hard.
Phi Phi Deaths: Paradise By Day, Party By Night

Why Pursuing the Truth Matters for Tourism
Opinion/Analysis Does it matter if the truth is never known about mishaps that kill tourists on and around Phuket? It matters because of trust. Only once the whole truth is told can trust be restored.
Why Pursuing the Truth Matters for Tourism

MediaWATCH: Tourist Death Theories Abound
Latest Internal Security Act coming for Phuket; International media seek clues to the deaths of two Phi Phi tourists; why travel is not dangerous; a swim to Burmese heroine Suu Kyi.
MediaWATCH: Tourist Death Theories Abound

Phi Phi Mystery Deaths: The Room Maid's Account
Phi Phi Photo Album Thai guesthouse maids have a way of knowing what goes on and the maid at the Laleena on Phi Phi was close to two mysterious deaths. This is her account.
Phi Phi Mystery Deaths: The Room Maid's Account

Dead Tourist 'Pushed off Phi Phi': Boyfriend
Latest The boyfriend of an American who died in strange circumstances along with a Norwegian woman on Phi Phi has rejected suggestions that they argued.
Dead Tourist 'Pushed off Phi Phi': Boyfriend

Phi Phi Deaths: No Word on What Killed Women
Latest Inquiries were continuing today into the mysterious deaths of two women who occupied adjoining rooms at the same Phi Phi guesthouse. Several rumors have been discounted.
Phi Phi Deaths: No Word on What Killed Women

Phi Phi 'Poisoning' Kills Two Tourists
Update A case of apparent poisoning on Phi Phi has left two young women dead, a Norwegian and an American. A third tourist, a Norwegian teenager, survived after being treated at a local hospital.
Phi Phi 'Poisoning' Kills Two Tourists


Phuket Private: Inside the PM's Holiday Haven
Taker the Tour What is it like inside the PM's choice resort for his weekend holiday on Phuket? Sri panwa provided some shots and we made a trip to see Cape Panwa for ourselves.
Phuket Private: Inside the PM's Holiday Haven

MediaWATCH: Report Casts Doubt on Phuket Meet
Latest Will the Phuket Asean Summit go ahead? A Singapore report says diplomats have doubts; Ikea on the way to Thailand; Three Phuket resorts win rave reviews; swine flu latest.
MediaWATCH: Report Casts Doubt on Phuket Meet

Phuket Red Shirts Speak Out: We Want Peace
Latest Whether there are red shirts on Phuket has been a matter of speculation. Now the island's red shirt leaders are stepping forward, waving a flag of peace, for the Asean Plus Six Summit.
Phuket Red Shirts Speak Out: We Want Peace

Phuket Fall Stalls in Latest Flier Figures
Latest Just a small drop in air passenger numbers for Phuket in April could mean better times lie ahead, or at least that the decline will be slower this shallow season.
Phuket Fall Stalls in Latest Flier Figures