Credits: Reuters
Thai authorities are grappling with a tragic incident at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok, where six individuals of Vietnamese origin, including two American citizens, were found dead under suspicious circumstances on Tuesday afternoon.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Deputy Commander Noppasil Poonsawas of Bangkok police revealed significant details surrounding the investigation. “We have reason to believe that one of the six individuals found dead committed this crime,” he stated, addressing concerns over the incident that has shaken the bustling tourist hub.
Police investigations have pointed towards cyanide poisoning as the method used, with a motive suspected to be linked to substantial financial debts amounting to millions of baht.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that four of the deceased were Vietnamese nationals, with the remaining two holding American citizenship. The victims, aged between 37 and 56, were discovered in a suite where no signs of struggle were evident, initially sparking confusion and erroneous reports of a mass shooting.
Police photos from the crime scene depicted a room with bodies lying among untouched plates of Thai cuisine, alongside thermos flasks and cups. Initial tests indicated the presence of cyanide in six cups found at the scene.
Further complicating the investigation, authorities noted no movements had been detected from the victims since Monday afternoon, suggesting the deaths occurred prior to their discovery. Speculation of a seventh individual involved in the incident was dismissed by police.
Tran Dinh Dung, father of one of the victims, expressed profound grief and disbelief over the loss of his 37-year-old son. “I couldn’t reach him and was worried, but I never expected him to die in Thailand,” he lamented in an interview with Vietnam’s Thanh Nien newspaper. “My wife has been inconsolable since the news; she cannot bear this shock,” he added.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin sought to reassure the public on Wednesday, characterizing the incident as “a private matter” unrelated to national security. He emphasized that the incident should not cast a shadow over Thailand’s vibrant tourism sector, which remains a crucial economic driver for the country.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths, working to uncover the full details behind this shocking incident that has sent ripples of concern through both local and international communities.