Fatal Dinner in Northern Thailand
In Mae Chan, a quiet town in northern Thailand, a family dinner ended in disaster. The mother prepared a curry using mushrooms given by a friend. Shortly after eating, 40-year-old Wijitra and her 78-year-old father Boonpan collapsed and never regained consciousness.
Sudden Collapse After the Meal
Eyewitnesses described Boonpan falling suddenly, writhing in cramps with foam at his mouth. Around the same time, his daughter Wijitra was found unconscious in her room. Both were rushed to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital, where doctors were unable to save them.
Police Rule Out Foul Play
Police Captain Boonchuay Kanthawong confirmed there were no signs of external violence. The mushrooms are under investigation. Samples have been sent to the hospital for testing to determine the exact cause.
Sister in Shock: “I’ll Never Touch Mushrooms Again”
Wijitra’s 49-year-old sister, Thatsanee, described the tragic evening. Wijitra had rarely cooked with mushrooms before, simply because she disliked them. “I love mushrooms, but after what happened, I will never touch them again. It’s so hard to know which ones are poisonous,” she said through tears.
Other Family Members Escaped
Other family members avoided consuming the mushrooms and survived unharmed. Yet the trauma and shock linger for the entire household.
Rainy Season Boosts Mushroom Danger
Health authorities regularly warn about the risks of wild mushrooms, especially during the rainy season. Toxic species sprout widely in northern Thailand and are often indistinguishable from safe varieties.
A Series of Fatal Mushroom Cases
This tragedy is part of a worrying pattern. In July 2025, three people died in Buriram province after eating a mushroom curry. Officials urge citizens not to pick or consume unknown mushrooms. The deadly risk continues to claim unsuspecting victims across Thailand.