Six foreigners, including suspected killer, died from cyanide poisoning in a luxury Bangkok hotel, Thai authorities reported on Wednesday. Autopsies revealed traces of the lethal chemical on drinking glasses and a teapot in the room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel, where the bodies were discovered on Tuesday evening.
Police interviews with relatives of the deceased, three women and three men, indicated a dispute over debt linked to an investment. All six victims were of Vietnamese ethnicity, with two holding US nationality. The investigation into the cyanide source is ongoing, with assistance from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Chulalongkorn Hospital's Kornkiat Vongpaisarnsin confirmed the deaths were due to cyanide, with further test results expected on Friday. The US State Department is monitoring the situation, while Vietnam's foreign ministry confirmed four victims were Vietnamese nationals, coordinating with Thai authorities.
The Grand Hyatt Erawan, part of the Erawan Group, boasts over 350 rooms and is situated in a renowned tourist district. The incident, initially misreported as a shooting, could hinder Thailand's efforts to revive its tourism-dependent economy, which has been struggling since the pandemic. The government is keen to resolve the case swiftly, concerned about potential negative impacts on the tourism sector expecting 35 million foreign visitors and billions in spending this year.
Thai police commander Trirong Phiwpan stated that the investigation suggests cyanide was added to drinks in the hotel room by one of the deceased. After hotel staff provided tea cups, hot water bottles, milk, and tea pots, one individual introduced cyanide.
