11 Feb 2011

Thai doctors say seaweed may not be killer

3:14 pm on 11 February 2011

Medical authorities in Thailand still do not know what caused the death of a New Zealand tourist, despite suggestions a toxic seaweed is to blame.

Sarah Carter, 23, died on Sunday after eating at a market in the northern city of Chiang Mai.

Her two friends Amanda Eliason, 24, and Emma Langlands, 23, also became ill but are now recovering.

ABC correspondent Zoe Daniel told Morning Report that the doctor in charge of the enquiry is not considering seaweed as a likely cause of death.

She says Thai food safety officials have sent a team from Bangkok to Chiang Mai but their investigation could take several weeks.