Six people died in a luxury hotel in Bangkok after drinking cyanide-laced beverages, according to police. One of the victims is suspected to have orchestrated the poisoning due to severe financial troubles.
Housekeepers found the bodies at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel on Tuesday evening. The deceased had likely been dead for about 24 hours.
Two of the victims had lent significant amounts of money to another deceased individual for investment purposes. Initially, there was confusion with reports suggesting a shooting, which the police later dismissed.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the hotel, ordering a swift investigation and clarifying that the incident was a private matter, not a national security issue.
Deputy Bangkok police chief Gen Noppassin Poonsawat revealed that the group had checked into five separate rooms at the hotel over the weekend.
They missed their scheduled checkout on Monday, leading to the discovery. Four victims were Vietnamese: Thi Nguyen Phuong, 46; her husband, Hong Pham Thanh, 49; Thi Nguyen Phuong Lan, 47; and Dinh Tran Phu, 37. The other two were Americans: Sherine Chong, 56, and Dang Hung Van, 55.
The U.S. State Department expressed condolences and is closely monitoring the situation, with the FBI assisting in the investigation.
The group had ordered food and tea, which was delivered around 2 PM on Monday. Ms. Chong received the delivery but declined the waiter’s offer to make the tea, appearing stressed.
All six gathered in the room shortly after, and no one else entered before the poisoning occurred. Police found no signs of struggle or forced entry, but traces of cyanide were detected in all the teacups.
One of the victims’ sisters had been part of the booking but had left Thailand earlier and was not involved.
The investigation revealed that some victims had lent money for investment, possibly falling victim to a scam. Mr. Tran’s mother shared that her son was in Thailand for a job as a personal makeup artist for Ms. Chong.
The incident happened just as Thailand expanded its visa-free entry to boost tourism. The Grand Hyatt Erawan is located in a prime tourist area, which has seen high-profile crimes in recent years.
The Prime Minister assured the public of safety measures for tourists, emphasizing Thailand’s commitment to its vital tourism industry.
This tragic event comes on the heels of Thailand’s efforts to attract more high-end tourists following the pandemic.
This news summary is based on information from the BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3g64ljwp2go