Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to the media during a press conference at Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, July 16, 2024. /CFP
Cyanide poisoning was likely the cause of death for six foreigners whose bodies were found in a room at a plush Bangkok hotel, with the suspected killer among the dead, Thai police said on Wednesday.
The rapid-acting, deadly chemical was found on drinking glasses and a teapot in the room at the luxury Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel, and interviews with relatives of the deceased revealed there had been a dispute over debt related to an investment, police said.
The six were all of Vietnamese ethnicity, two of those being U.S. nationals, and were found dead late on Tuesday. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation, police said.
"We found cyanide in the teacups, all six cups we found cyanide," Trirong Phiwpan, commander of the Thai police evidence office, told a press conference.
"After staff brought tea cups and two hot water bottles, milk and tea pots, one of the six introduced cyanide." The results of an autopsy were expected within the next day, police said.
Police officers stand outside the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, July 16, 2024. /CFP
Vietnam's government said its embassy in Bangkok was closely coordinating with Thai authorities on the case, while the U.S. State Department said it was monitoring the situation and local authorities were responsible for the investigation.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel late on Tuesday with senior police officials and ordered a swift investigation on the matter, the government said in a statement.
Police officers found the bodies after a call from hotel staff at around 5.30 p.m. reporting the deaths, Thai police said in a statement.
All six of the deceased were supposed to check out on July 16 and had their bags packed.
Police gather outside the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, July 16, 2024. /CFP
The incident comes as Thailand looks to further promote its tourism sector, a key driver of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
Tourism serves as a key driver for the country, with the government expecting 35 million international arrivals this year after 28 million foreigners visited the country in 2023, spending 1.2 trillion baht ($33.7 billion).
The tourism sector was shaken in October by a shooting spree at a luxury shopping mall close to the Hyatt in which two foreigners were killed, prompting government measures to improve confidence, including ramping up security at popular locations.
To entice more visitors, the government has offered longer visa stay periods and waivers for several nationalities.
(With input from agencies)