According to Khaosod, Thai police have investigated the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the six Vietnamese tourists at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok. It is believed that one of the group members used a substance stronger than cyanide to poison the others and then committed suicide. The motive is suspected to be debt-related.

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Sherine Chong, the suspect in the deaths of six Vietnamese in a Bangkok hotel. Photo: Khaosod

Suspect and motive

On July 17, at the Lumpini Police Station, Police Major General Thiradej Thammasuthee, head of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the Royal Thai Police, stated that they had questioned the daughter of one of the deceased and other additional witnesses the previous night.

Sherine Chong, one of the six deceased, is suspected of poisoning the other victims before taking her own life. Chong, a Vietnamese-American, had entered and exited Thailand five times. The motive is believed to be related to significant debt.

The hotel room on the 5th floor of the Grand Hyatt Erawan was locked from the inside, and there were no signs of entry or exit. The exact nature of the poison is yet to be determined, pending forensic analysis.

Further details and FBI involvement

Preliminary findings indicate that six glasses, each with a small amount of white powder residue, were found in the room. Food in the room was untouched, and tea, energy drinks, and honey were discovered in the bathroom.

The seventh person, who had booked a hotel room but did not appear, is the sister of one of the deceased and returned to Vietnam on July 10.

The FBI has dispatched a team to Thailand to assist in the investigation due to the involvement of two American passport holders among the deceased.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the scene on July 16 and assured that the incident would not negatively impact the country's tourism sector. He also met with Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phạm Viet Hung to discuss the case and pledged comprehensive investigation efforts.

The victims were identified as Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan (47), Pham Thanh Hong (49), Nguyen Thi Phuong (46), Tran Dinh Phu (37), Dang Van Hung (55) and Sherine Chong (56).

The U.S. Department of State has expressed condolences and is closely coordinating with local authorities. They emphasized their commitment to determining the cause of death and providing consular support to the families involved.

Minh Thu - Tuan Tran