Six people found dead in a luxury hotel in Bangkok this afternoon may have ingested poisonous cyanide in their tea.
The victims, two of whom had dual Vietnamese-American nationality while the remaining four were Vietnamese nationals, were found inside a room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel at around 5pm local time on Tuesday.
They are thought to have died after ingesting cyanide, according to local newspaper Matichon, while one officer claimed the bodies were foaming at the mouth.
Another local outlet, Thai PBS, reported the tea and coffee cups inside the room had all been used, but there were plates of food that remained untouched.
An image released by the Royal Thai Police, shows the uneaten meals left on a table in the hotel room.
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had earlier dismissed reports in Thai media that the six people had been killed in a shooting.
‘There is no sign of a shooting,’ the official told Reuters, without elaborating further.
Thai police officers secure the area during investigations after six people were found dead at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok
Police cars are parked outside the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 16
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin talks to media (L) next to the National Police chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol (R) during a press conference after six people were found dead at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel
In this photo released by the Royal Thai Police, uneaten meals are left on a table in a room in the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel
Bangkok police chief Lieutenant General Thiti Sangsawang said there were three males and three females.
Investigators said the bodies were foaming at the mouth, an officer from the Lumpini police station said on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to release information.
The victims had booked several rooms at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel under seven names, and some were staying on a different floor from the room where they were found dead, Thiti said.
Police are still looking for the seventh person included in the booking, Thiti said at a news conference at the hotel.
He said there were no signs of a struggle. The residents of the room where the bodies were found were supposed to have checked out earlier Tuesday and their luggage had already been packed, he said.
The bodies were discovered by a maid who went to the room after they failed to check out and found it locked from the inside, Thiti said.
There was food that had been ordered earlier from room service that was left uneaten, but drinks had been consumed, Thiti said.
He would not confirm a cause of death, but said the deaths appeared to have occurred about 24 hours before police arrived on the scene Tuesday evening after being called by hotel staff.
Immigration officers arrive to the Grand Hyatt Erawan where 6 people were confirmed dead after an incident in central Bangkok on July 16, 2024
Policemen inspect after an incident, in which six bodies were found at a hotel in Bangkok on July 16, 2024. Six people believed to be Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Americans were found dead in a hotel room in central Bangkok on July 16
Police are seen at the hotel conducting investigations this evening
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed earlier reports in Thai media that the six people had been killed in a shooting
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visits the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel
Police and media wait outside the entrance of the hotel as investigations continue
The bodies were discovered at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel located in the popular Ratchaprasong Intersection of Bangkok
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said U.S. officials are aware of the reports of the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Bangkok.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin immediately ordered an investigation into the deaths this evening and personally visited the hotel to discuss the case with investigators.
Thailand’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism and Thavisin said he does not want the mystery deaths to negatively impact the country’s image as a welcoming destination for holidaymakers.
‘Hotel staff found their bodies in a room around 5pm (1000 GMT) today,’ the police source told Reuters.
He denied initial reports that the six had been killed in a shooting, saying the investigation was currently focused on a ‘link with a toxic substance.’
Pending the results of autopsies, ‘Our hypothesis is that they ingested something that killed them,’ Thavisin said.
Some of the six foreigners appeared to be on their first trip to the country, while others appeared to be return visitors, he added.
In a statement, the police said they were still investigating the scene and cause of death, but added there appeared to be no signs of fighting, struggle or robbery at the hotel.
The incident comes as Thailand looks to further promote its tourism sector, a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second largest economy.
‘The prime minister has ordered all agencies to urgently take action to avoid impact on tourism,’ the Thai government said in its statement.
Thavisin himself refused questions from the press as he arrived at the hotel earlier, instead making a beeline directly for investigating officers who whisked their leader away from prying eyes for private discussions.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visits the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, where it is believed that at least 6 people have been reported dead, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 16, 2024
Police block media from entering the Grand Hyatt Erawan where 6 people were confirmed dead after an incident in central Bangkok on July 16, 2024
Visitors stand outside of the Grand Hyatt Erawan where 6 people were confirmed dead after an incident in central Bangkok on July 16, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand
Five bodies were reportedly discovered inside a room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, with the sixth lying by the door, at around 7:30pm local time
The entrance to the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel is seen in this general view
The Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel is among Thailand’s most luxurious and sought after tourist accommodations with a reputation for its service.
Located in the Ratchaprasong district – a highly frequented shopping and commercial area in the Thai capital – the hotel is a five-star venue replete with decadent interiors, a huge outdoor pool, a gym and spa complex and a highly rated restaurant.
It offers sweeping views of the city and besides the commercial attractions is also located adjacent to the Erawan Shrine, a notable religious site known for attracting tourists.
Hotel administrators are yet to comment on the incident.
