Police report decline in tourist deaths

PHUKET: Twelve foreign tourists have died in Phuket so far this year, Pol Maj Arnont Kamolrat of the Tourist Police told the Gazette today. Of these, five drowned, three died in traffic and other accidents, two committed suicide, one died of illness, and one of unknown causes. In 1997, 30 tourists died, including two who were murdered. In 1998 the death toll was 42, of whom 17 drowned, 11 died in accidents, and two were murdered.