PHUKET: The drink-spiking death of a tourist in Pattaya poses no cause for alarm on Phuket, Patong Police Superintendent Colonel Sermphan Sirikong said today.
He was speaking after Pattaya police warned today that the mix of Alprazolam (sold under the brand Xanax) and alcohol could be deadly. The message appeared to be directed at drink-spikers as well as their victims.
In Pattaya, sex worker Malee Jindawong, 33, faces a murder charge over the death of Bangladesh tourist Business Chan, who died after being drugged. His two companions slipped into comas but recovered.
It is believed Khun Malee persuaded the three men to take the drug with their beers by telling them the tablets would enhance their sexual prowess in a group sex session.
Colonel Sermphan, chief of Kathu Police Station, which oversees Phiket's west coast nightlife hub, Patong, said today that Pattaya and Phuket were ''quite different.''
''Pattaya has problems Phuket does not have,'' he said. ''We often speak to the people who own and manage the bars on Phuket about the need to protect tourists and keep them safe.''
He said a case at the weekend where Australian Dale Richardson collapsed in a bar while out with a group of people did not fit the mold of a classic doping case.
Mr Richardson, 24, was drinking with a group of 15 friends and family when he collapsed in a Bangla Road bar about 9.30pm on Saturday.
''It would be unlikely for someone to be doped in those circumstances,'' Colonel Sermphan said. ''It's possible there could be some previously undiagnosed medical condition involved.''
Colonel Sermphan said that Phuket's biggest crime problem was with itinerant ladyboy katoeys who migrate from Pattaya or Samui to Patong with the change in high seasons.
''We never have problems with the ladyboys who live here,'' the colonel said. ''But the ladyboys who come from Pattaya or Samui do commit petty crimes.''
Police also reported few problems with the Phuket liberty leave visit last week of a large contingent of US Navy sailors and marines.
The sailors and marines are instructed to operate under the ''buddy'' system and those who lose their buddies face penalties, which explains why the regular large US invasions seldom cause a ripple on Phuket.
The online encyclopedia Wikipedia agrees with the Pattaya police assessment of the dangers of mixing Alprazolam with alcohol, reporting: ''Alcohol is one of the most important and common interactions. Alcohol and benzodiazepines such as alprazolam taken in combination have a synergistic effect on one another, which can cause severe sedation, behavioral changes, and intoxication.
''The more alcohol and alprazolam taken the worse the interaction.''
He was speaking after Pattaya police warned today that the mix of Alprazolam (sold under the brand Xanax) and alcohol could be deadly. The message appeared to be directed at drink-spikers as well as their victims.
In Pattaya, sex worker Malee Jindawong, 33, faces a murder charge over the death of Bangladesh tourist Business Chan, who died after being drugged. His two companions slipped into comas but recovered.
It is believed Khun Malee persuaded the three men to take the drug with their beers by telling them the tablets would enhance their sexual prowess in a group sex session.
Colonel Sermphan, chief of Kathu Police Station, which oversees Phiket's west coast nightlife hub, Patong, said today that Pattaya and Phuket were ''quite different.''
''Pattaya has problems Phuket does not have,'' he said. ''We often speak to the people who own and manage the bars on Phuket about the need to protect tourists and keep them safe.''
He said a case at the weekend where Australian Dale Richardson collapsed in a bar while out with a group of people did not fit the mold of a classic doping case.
Mr Richardson, 24, was drinking with a group of 15 friends and family when he collapsed in a Bangla Road bar about 9.30pm on Saturday.
''It would be unlikely for someone to be doped in those circumstances,'' Colonel Sermphan said. ''It's possible there could be some previously undiagnosed medical condition involved.''
Colonel Sermphan said that Phuket's biggest crime problem was with itinerant ladyboy katoeys who migrate from Pattaya or Samui to Patong with the change in high seasons.
''We never have problems with the ladyboys who live here,'' the colonel said. ''But the ladyboys who come from Pattaya or Samui do commit petty crimes.''
Police also reported few problems with the Phuket liberty leave visit last week of a large contingent of US Navy sailors and marines.
The sailors and marines are instructed to operate under the ''buddy'' system and those who lose their buddies face penalties, which explains why the regular large US invasions seldom cause a ripple on Phuket.
The online encyclopedia Wikipedia agrees with the Pattaya police assessment of the dangers of mixing Alprazolam with alcohol, reporting: ''Alcohol is one of the most important and common interactions. Alcohol and benzodiazepines such as alprazolam taken in combination have a synergistic effect on one another, which can cause severe sedation, behavioral changes, and intoxication.
''The more alcohol and alprazolam taken the worse the interaction.''
Wasn't it not long ago three or so people were arrested for drugging punters?
Or have the Police for this already? Since if I remember, one of the girls were arrested twice.
Posted by Tbs on May 21, 2012 14:54
Editor Comment:
There was a group of women arrested on suspicion because they had the ingredients for drugging customers. But there was never a case involving an actual victim.