Thread: Canadian Mike Talbot Dies of Unknown Causes in Phuket

PHUKET – Police are puzzled over the death of a 28-year-old tourist Mike Talbot who died from unknown causes while on vacation in Phuket. Mike Talbot, 28, from Canada was pronounced dead Tuesday morning in a hospital in Patong.

According to the Phuket New reports, Talbot woke up about 5:30 a.m. in his hotel room after complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath. By the time help arrived, Mr Talbot was already in shock. “He was taken to Patong Hospital, but pronounced dead upon arrival,” police said.

Dr Unchisa Kittiyankul at Patong Hospital said that doctors there had yet to confirm the cause of death.

“We found no sign of injury on the body, but we are hoping that further medica examination will confirm the cause of death,” Dr Unchisa said.

Talbot’s stepfather, Steve Gould, said Tuesday night. “We don’t have an answer yet, we haven’t totally digested it. It’s just kind of overwhelming.” Gould said Talbot’s family wasn’t aware he had any health issues. He had worked for the last three years teaching English in China. “They were on a vacation,” Gould said. Talbot’s trip to Thailand coincided with Chinese New Year celebrations.

Gould estimates it will take one to two weeks to repatriate his stepson’s body, adding there are “certain protocols” that must be observed when bringing a body back to Canada from overseas.

Asked if he’s confident that Thai authorities would be able to get to the bottom of Talbot’s mysterious passing, Gould said, “We’re not really sure of that yet. There’s so many unknowns that we just know.” “He was heavily involved with athletics,” Gould said of Talbot, saying he was “very family-oriented.”

Talbot attended Western University, where he played rugby, as well as Laurier University. Previously, he attended Medway high school in Arva.

The Canadian embassy in Bangkok and the family have been notified of Mr Talbot’s death.


In 2012 two sisters Audrey Belanger, 20, and Noemie Belanger, 26, from Quebec Canada were staying on the island of Koh Phi Phi when cleaning staff found their bodies in bed, surrounded in vomit.

A doctor in Thailand said the common pesticide DEET likely killed the women, but Quebec coroner Renee Roussel disagreed.

Renee Roussel said the hotel likely used phosphine even though it’s banned in Thailand. The report says 20 western tourists have died under similar circumstances in Asian hotels since 2009, including two on the same Phi Phi archipelago where the Belanger sisters died.

Canadian Mike Talbot Dies of Unknown Causes in Phuket | Chiang Rai Times English Language Newspaper

RIP, lad...

^

did you know him?

Originally Posted by taxexile

did you know him?

Is that relevant?

A 28 year old dude is dead, his family and friends undoubtedly gutted and hurting. What's wrong with expressing a small bit of compassion/condolences. It's called empathy.

Bloody hell, only 28. Possibly allergic reaction to something he ate?

^ Might have been cardiac arrest. They can happen at any age.

What's wrong with expressing a small bit of compassion/condolences. It's called empathy.

there is nothing wrong with it, and it not empathy, but laziness.

is it really necessary to thoughtlessly bang out those three letters every time a death is announced.

sometimes i think it is done more as a reflex action to assuage the posters conscience rather than as a show of genuine heartfelt empathy with the mourners.

it really shows nothing. it is shallow. it is lazy. it has become a completely devalued and hollow gesture in this throwaway world we now live in.

if one really felt genuine empathy with the relatives then the correct thing to do would be to attend the funeral, or failing that to send a handwritten note to the family.

that would certainly be a truer reflection of ones feelings than banging out those three silly letters on an internet forum that very few people will ever read.

Originally Posted by taxexile

is it really necessary to thoughtlessly bang out those three letters every time a death is announced.

I suppose not but what's the harm in it.

Strange thing to get all miffed about.

Thinning out the herd...

RIP, tax...

Strange thing to get all miffed about.

well, you asked, and i was polite enough to reply.

It's a discussion forum, not a condolences book. If every member posted a short RIP what would be the point in reading it.

Apropos of, well, this thread I suppose, but apparently lack of empathy is one of the most striking features of people with narcissistic personality disorder.

I know the symptoms are cardiac arrest but an allegy can cause that. Had he mixed painkillers/sleeping pills with booze? That can mess up the blood pressure

Originally Posted by Henrie

It's a discussion forum, not a condolences book. If every member posted a short RIP what would be the point in reading it.

Exactly, this ain't some facebook status


The guy has died of natrual causes, not selfishly dived off a balcony.

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

I know the symptoms are cardiac arrest but an allegy can cause that. Had he mixed painkillers/sleeping pills with booze? That can mess up the blood pressure

Originally Posted by Henrie

It's a discussion forum, not a condolences book. If every member posted a short RIP what would be the point in reading it.

Exactly, this ain't some facebook status


The guy has died of natrual causes, not selfishly dived off a balcony.

It's impossible to speculate and draw a meaningful conclusion. It could have been an aortic rupture or several other traumatic conditions.

Originally Posted by taxexile

is it really necessary to thoughtlessly bang out those three letters every time a death is announced.

I agree Tax. It reminds me of when it's the King's birthday over on Thai Visa forum. The amount of 'Happy Birthday' messages is ridiculous. It's not as if he's going to read them. So why write them?

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Originally Posted by taxexile

is it really necessary to thoughtlessly bang out those three letters every time a death is announced.

I agree Tax. It reminds me of when it's the King's birthday over on Thai Visa forum. The amount of 'Happy Birthday' messages is ridiculous. It's not as if he's going to read them. So why write them?

Precisely. It's possible, normal even, to feel empathy without resorting to posting RIP on a discussion forum for every death news story.

Thousands of people die every day in Thailand, some elderly, some infants, some in between. A news thread is the place to discuss the news story, not display empathy with another death of a stranger.

but apparently lack of empathy is one of the most striking features of people with narcissistic personality disorder.

good god almighty, i'm calling the emergency psychiatrist right now, right after i've combed my hair, had a shave and basked in the aura of my genius for half an hour.

So much for quick response, eh? For any kind of cardiac problem, seconds count if that is what killed him. Wait too long and chances of recover decrease quickly and death results. RIP

Originally Posted by taxexile

good god almighty, i'm calling the emergency psychiatrist right now, but i must comb my hair and have a shave first.

What about the eyes though.

You can't hide the madness in the eyes.

^^ you haven't accounted for my top of the range mirrored raybans.

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

Possibly allergic reaction

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

I know the symptoms are cardiac arrest but an allegy can cause that

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

Had he mixed painkillers/sleeping pills with booze?

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

The guy has died of natrual causes

That's this one wrapped up then.

Thank Christ we had DJ Pat Hologist on the case.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

I agree Tax. It reminds me of when it's the King's birthday over on Thai Visa forum. The amount of 'Happy Birthday' messages is ridiculous. It's not as if he's going to read them.

I bet, a pound to a pinch o' shite that Jeff does!

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

So why write them?

Why not?