Identity of suspect in the death of 6 Vietnamese people in a hotel in Thailand

Police said the cause was a debt dispute and one of the six victims was the one who poisoned the other five.

At Lumpini police station in Bangkok on the morning of July 17, Police Major General Theeradet Thumsuthee, head of the Metropolitan Police Department's investigation department, said police had questioned witnesses and the daughter of one of the victims.

After questioning, police identified the suspect in the poisoning and murder of the group as Sherine Chong, 56, one of two Vietnamese Americans who died in the incident. The suspect's body was dressed in green.

"The case is likely to have stemmed from a debt problem, there is no other possibility. The culprit is among the six dead people because they were the only ones who entered the room, there was no one else," said Mr. Theeradet.

Suspect Sherine Chong, 56, was one of six Vietnamese people who died at a hotel in Bangkok. Photo: Khaosod

Earlier on the evening of July 16, Thai police said six Vietnamese, including two American citizens, were found dead in a fifth-floor room of the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in central Bangkok.

A source said forensic police found a cyanide-like substance in used cups in room 502 where the bodies were found.

The fast-acting, deadly chemical was found on drinking cups and teapots in the room. "We found cyanide in the tea cups, all six cups had cyanide," Trirong Phiwpan, commander of the Thai police evidence bureau, told a news conference.

According to the Thai police investigation, when Ms. Chong was alone in the room, the staff brought food and drinks. When the staff asked to make tea for Ms. Chong, she said she would handle it herself, then the staff left and the woman was alone in the room.

"After the staff brought in teacups, two hot water bottles, milk and a teapot... one of the six people brought in cyanide," Mr Trirong said, adding that test results showed that the blood of the deceased was found to contain cyanide.

Police forensic science chief Lieutenant General Trairong Phiewphan confirmed there was a poison in a drink that looked like black coffee found in two containers in room 502.

Police said that through interviews with relatives of the victims, they discovered that the group had a dispute over a debt related to an investment.

A seventh Vietnamese woman booked the room next door. Police believe she is the sister of one of the six victims. The woman left Thailand on July 10 and is unlikely to be involved in the poisoning.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung said that embassy staff are working with local authorities to verify the incident as well as to carry out necessary citizen protection work.

The US State Department said it was monitoring the situation and local authorities were responsible for the investigation. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation was also assisting police in the investigation.

The Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, managed by the Erawan Group, has more than 350 rooms and is located in a popular tourist area with luxury restaurants and shopping.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has called for a prompt investigation into the matter to limit the impact on Thailand's tourism industry.

Ngoc Anh (according to VNA, Bangkok Post)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/danh-tinh-nghi-pham-vu-nhung-nguoi-viet-tu-vong-trong-khach-san-thai-lan-post303795.html