By D. Maan, Jadetimes News
Cyanide Detected in Blood of Six Victims at Bangkok Luxury Hotel
Doctors have confirmed that cyanide was found in the blood of all six individuals who died in a luxury hotel suite in Bangkok. Following the initial post-mortem examinations, they reported that there was "no other cause" to explain the deaths except for cyanide poisoning. Additional tests are being conducted to determine the "intensity" of the deadly chemical and to rule out the presence of any other toxins.
Forensic investigators previously discovered traces of cyanide on the teacups used by the victims, all of whom were of Vietnamese origin. Police suspect that one of the deceased may have been responsible for the poisoning, driven by severe debt.
Visible signs of cyanide poisoning, such as dark purple lips and nails indicating a lack of oxygen, and "blood red" internal organs, were observed, according to Professor Kornkiat Vongpaisarnsin from the Department of Forensic Medicine at Chulalongkorn University. Dr. Chanchai Sittipunt, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine, emphasized the need to determine the exact cyanide levels in the victims' blood. "From our observations, internal organ checks, and screening tests for cyanide in the blood, there is no other cause that could account for their deaths except cyanide," he stated.
The bodies were discovered late Tuesday by housekeepers at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok. Investigators believe the victims had been dead for 12 to 24 hours by the time they were found. The incident has garnered international attention.
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered an urgent investigation, stressing that the deaths resulted from a "private matter" and posed no public danger. Police are working to piece together the events leading to the deaths.
Authorities revealed that two of the victims had loaned "tens of millions of Thai baht" to another deceased individual for investment purposes. Ten million baht is approximately $280,000 (£215,000). Deputy Bangkok police chief Gen Noppassin Poonsawat noted that the group had checked into the hotel separately over the weekend and were assigned five rooms four on the seventh floor and one on the fifth. They were scheduled to check out on Monday but failed to do so.
The victims include Vietnamese nationals Thi Nguyen Phuong, 46; her husband Hong Pham Thanh, 49; Thi Nguyen Phuong Lan, 47; and Dinh Tran Phu, 37. The other two victims are American citizens Sherine Chong, 56, and Dang Hung Van, 55. The US State Department has expressed its condolences and is "closely monitoring" the situation, with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation assisting Thai authorities in the investigation, according to Prime Minister Srettha.
Cyanide Found in Blood of Six Victims at Bangkok Hotel
Doctors have confirmed the presence of cyanide in the blood of all six individuals who died in a luxury hotel suite in Bangkok. Following initial post mortem examinations, they reported that there was "no other cause" to explain the deaths except for cyanide poisoning. Further tests are being conducted to determine the "intensity" of the deadly chemical and to rule out the presence of any other toxins.
Forensic investigators previously discovered traces of cyanide on the teacups used by the victims, all of whom were of Vietnamese origin. Police suspect that one of the deceased may have been responsible for the poisoning, driven by severe debt.
Visible signs of cyanide poisoning, such as dark purple lips and nails indicating a lack of oxygen, and "blood red" internal organs, were observed, according to Professor Kornkiat Vongpaisarnsin from the Department of Forensic Medicine at Chulalongkorn University. Dr. Chanchai Sittipunt, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine, emphasized the need to determine the exact cyanide levels in the victims' blood. "From our observations, internal organ checks, and screening tests for cyanide in the blood, there is no other cause that could account for their deaths except cyanide," he stated.
The bodies were discovered late Tuesday by housekeepers at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok. Investigators believe the victims had been dead for 12 to 24 hours by the time they were found. The incident has garnered international attention.
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered an urgent investigation, stressing that the deaths resulted from a "private matter" and posed no public danger. Police are working to piece together the events leading to the deaths.
Authorities revealed that two of the victims had loaned "tens of millions of Thai baht" to another deceased individual for investment purposes. Ten million baht is approximately $280,000 (£215,000). Deputy Bangkok police chief Gen Noppassin Poonsawat noted that the group had checked into the hotel separately over the weekend and were assigned five rooms—four on the seventh floor and one on the fifth. They were scheduled to check out on Monday but failed to do so.
The victims include Vietnamese nationals Thi Nguyen Phuong, 46; her husband Hong Pham Thanh, 49; Thi Nguyen Phuong Lan, 47; and Dinh Tran Phu, 37. The other two victims are American citizens Sherine Chong, 56, and Dang Hung Van, 55. The US State Department has expressed its condolences and is "closely monitoring" the situation, with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation assisting Thai authorities in the investigation, according to Prime Minister Srettha.
Gathering and Suspicion
On Monday afternoon, all six victims gathered in the room on the fifth floor of the hotel. The group ordered food and tea, which was delivered around 14:00 local time (08:00 BST) and received by Ms. Chong, who was the only person in the room at the time. According to the deputy police chief, a waiter offered to make tea for the guests, but Ms. Chong declined, appearing visibly stressed.
The rest of the group began arriving in the room between 14:03 and 14:17. No one else is believed to have entered the room apart from the six individuals inside, and police stated that the door was locked from within. There were no signs of a struggle, robbery, or forced entry. Forensic investigators later found traces of cyanide in all six teacups.
Pictures released by the police showed plates of untouched food left on a table in the room, some still covered in cling wrap.
Financial Motives and Further Investigation
A seventh name on the group's hotel booking was identified as the younger sister of one of the victims, who had left Thailand for the Vietnamese coastal city of Da Nang and is not involved in the incident.
Relatives told police that Thi Nguyen Phuong and Hong Pham Thanh, a couple, owned a road construction business and had given money to Ms. Chong to invest in a hospital building project in Japan. Police suspect that Mr. Tran, a make up artist from Da Nang, was also “duped” into making an investment.
Mr. Tran's mother said he traveled to Thailand on Friday and called home on Sunday to say he had to extend his stay until Monday. That was the last his family heard from him. Ms. Chong had hired Mr. Tran as her personal make-up artist for the trip, according to one of his students. Mr. Tran's father said his son was hired last week by a Vietnamese woman to travel to Thailand.
The six bodies were discovered a day after Thailand expanded its visa free entry scheme to travelers from 93 countries and territories to revitalize its tourism industry. The Grand Hyatt Erawan, located in a prime tourist area, has seen high profile crimes in recent years, including a shooting at the nearby Siam Paragon mall and a bomb blast at the Erawan Shrine.
Prime Minister Srettha visited the hotel on Tuesday to reassure the public that Thailand has security measures in place to protect tourists. As tourism is a crucial industry for Thailand, efforts are being made to attract well-heeled travelers while ensuring their safety.
