Doctors have confirmed that cyanide was detected in the blood of all six individuals who died in a luxury hotel suite in Bangkok.
According to initial post-mortem examinations, there is “no other cause” identified that could explain their deaths besides cyanide. Further tests are underway to determine the concentration of the lethal chemical and to rule out any other toxins.
Forensic investigators previously discovered traces of cyanide on the teacups used by the victims, all of whom were of Vietnamese origin, including two with dual US citizenship. Police suspect that one of the deceased was responsible for the poisoning, possibly driven by significant financial debt, though they have not specified who.
Professor Kornkiat Vongpaisarnsin from the Department of Forensic Medicine at Chulalongkorn University noted that the victims exhibited dark purple lips and nails, indicating oxygen deprivation, and their internal organs showed a characteristic “blood red” coloration typical of cyanide poisoning.
Dr. Chanchai Sittipunt, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, emphasized the need to determine the precise levels of cyanide in the victims’ blood. “But based on our findings so far—from observations, internal organ examinations, and cyanide detection in screening tests—there is no other identified cause that could have led to their deaths apart from cyanide,” he told reporters.
The victims were discovered by hotel housekeepers at the Grand Hyatt Erawan late on Tuesday, and investigators estimate they had been deceased for between 12 and 24 hours prior to their discovery. The case has garnered international attention due to its mysterious circumstances.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand has ordered an urgent investigation into the incident, clarifying that the deaths are linked to a “private matter” and do not pose a public threat.
Police are now piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the tragedy. Authorities revealed that two of the deceased had loaned “tens of millions of Thai baht” to another victim for investment purposes, equivalent to nearly $280,000 (£215,000).
