Father and daughter die after eating deadly mushroom curry in Thailand: What are toxic mushrooms and how to spot them before cooking

A tragic incident unfolded in Chiang Rai, Thailand, where a father and his daughter lost their lives after consuming a curry made with deadly mushrooms. Boonpan, 78, and his 40-year-old daughter, Wijitra, collapsed at home on August 22, showing severe symptoms including convulsions and foaming at the mouth. Despite being rushed to the hospital, both were pronounced dead. Authorities confirmed that the mushrooms were gifted by a friend, and the family had no prior experience cooking with this type of fungi. Experts warn that many wild mushrooms contain deadly toxins, and distinguishing them from safe varieties is often difficult even for experienced mushroom gatherers.


How the Mushroom tragedy unfolded
Relatives described the horrifying scene as Boonpan began foaming at the mouth and convulsing violently. Wijitra was found unconscious in her locked bedroom. Their mother had prepared a large curry using the mushrooms, unaware of their poisonous nature. According to Wijitra’s elder sister, Thatsanee, 49, her sister had never cooked with mushrooms before. “A friend gave her some, so she asked our mother to make them into a curry and even shared some with relatives, but they hadn’t cooked theirs yet,” she said.

Authorities sent a sample of the mushrooms to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital for analysis. Community leaders have urged extreme caution when collecting wild mushrooms, emphasizing that even small mistakes can be fatal.


What makes mushrooms toxic
Several species of mushrooms contain deadly toxins that can cause liver failure, kidney damage, cardiac arrest, or even death. Some of the most dangerous include:

• Amanita phalloides (Death Cap): Responsible for the majority of mushroom-related deaths worldwide. Symptoms may appear 6–12 hours after ingestion and include vomiting, diarrhea, and liver failure.
• Amanita virosa (Destroying Angel): White mushrooms that are highly toxic, with delayed symptoms that can mislead people into thinking they are safe.
• Galerina species: Small brown mushrooms often found on decaying wood; contain potent amatoxins.
• Cortinarius species: Can cause kidney failure.
• Even edible-looking mushrooms can be dangerous. Some deadly species mimic common edible varieties, making identification extremely tricky.

How to spot and avoid toxic mushrooms

• Experts recommend the following precautions for anyone handling mushrooms:
• Avoid collecting wild mushrooms unless trained: Many toxic mushrooms closely resemble safe ones, and even experienced collectors can make mistakes.
• Check for white gills and bulbous stems: Many deadly Amanita species have these features, along with a cup-like structure at the base called a volva.
• Avoid mushrooms with a ring on the stem or warts on the cap: These are often indicators of toxic species.
• Rely on commercially sold mushrooms: Store-bought mushrooms are regulated and safe to eat.
• Do not taste-test unknown mushrooms: Some toxins can be fatal in very small amounts, and tasting offers no reliable warning.

Previous incidents highlight the risk
This tragedy follows a similar incident in July, when three relatives in Buriram, northeast Thailand, died after consuming wild mushrooms. Globally, cases of mushroom poisoning have resulted in death even when families cooked mushrooms they thought were safe. For instance, an Australian woman was found guilty of poisoning three relatives with deadly mushrooms in 2023.


The importance of public awareness

Mushroom poisoning can progress rapidly, with symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to organ failure within hours. Medical experts advise that anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming wild mushrooms seek immediate medical attention. Public education and careful mushroom collection practices remain essential to prevent such avoidable deaths.

Families are urged to only consume mushrooms purchased from trusted sources and to educate themselves on the risks of wild mushrooms to prevent future tragedies.