Father and Daughter Die After Consuming Deadly Mushrooms in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Boonpan, 78

A father and his daughter tragically died after eating a Thai curry containing poisonous mushrooms in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Boonpan, 78, and his 40-year-old daughter, Wijitra, collapsed at their home on August 22 after consuming the toxic meal. Relatives reported that Boonpan began foaming at the mouth and convulsing violently, while Wijitra was found unconscious in her locked bedroom. Both were rushed to the hospital but were later pronounced dead.

Police Captain Boonchuay Kanthawong of Mae Chan Police Station visited Mae Chan Hospital to investigate the deaths. A preliminary examination revealed no external wounds, suggesting no foul play. Boonpan was initially transferred to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital for treatment, but authorities later notified the family of his passing.

40-year-old Wijitra

Wijitra’s elder sister, Thatsanee, 49, said the mushrooms had been gifted by a friend. Their mother cooked them into a curry, unaware of their deadly nature. “My sister had never cooked with this type of mushroom before because she didn’t usually like mushrooms. This was the first time. A friend gave her some, so she asked our mother to make them into a curry and even shared some with relatives,” she said. “I love mushrooms, but after what happened, I will never touch them again. It’s difficult to tell which ones are poisonous.”

The pair died after eating a Thai curry made with deadly mushrooms in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Authorities sent a sample of the mushrooms to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital for analysis. Community leaders have warned villagers to exercise extreme caution when foraging for wild mushrooms, as some species contain lethal toxins that can damage the liver, cause cardiac arrest, or even result in death within hours. Symptoms vary depending on the type of mushroom and can sometimes appear days or weeks after consumption.

This incident follows a similar case in July in Buriram, northeast Thailand, where three relatives died after consuming a curry made with wild mushrooms. Internationally, mushroom poisoning cases have drawn attention, including a case in Australia where a woman was found guilty of killing three relatives with poisoned mushrooms.

According to Wijitra's sister, a friend gave her the mushrooms