Cyanide claims lives of 6 foreigners in Bangkok hotel, says Thai police

Cyanide poisoning likely caused the deaths of six foreigners discovered in a room at a luxurious Bangkok hotel, with the suspected perpetrator also found deceased, Thai police stated on Wednesday (July 17).

The deadly chemical was found indrinking glasses and a teapot in the room at the luxury Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel.

Police stated that interviews with relatives of the deceased revealed a dispute over debt related to an investment.

"We found cyanide in the teacups, in all six cups we found cyanide," Trirong Phiwpan, Commander of the Thai police evidence office, said at a press conference.

"After staff brought tea cups and two hot water bottles, milk and tea pots... one among the six introduced cyanide," the official added.

The results of an autopsy were expected within the next day, police said.

Vietnam's government stated that its embassy in Bangkok was closely coordinating with Thai authorities on the case.

Meanwhile, the US State Department mentioned it was monitoring the situation and emphasised that local authorities were leading the investigation.

Bangkok hotel horror

Six foreign nationals were found dead at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday (July 16).Among the deceased is at least one American of Vietnamese descent, according to the Thai government.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered an investigation intothe incident to ensure that it does not impact Thailand's tourism sector.

According to the police statement, officers discovered the bodies after receiving a call from the hotelstaff around 5:30 pm (local time) reporting the deaths.

The Grand Hyatt Erawan, which boasts over 350 rooms, has not responded on the incident.

Thisfollows a shooting spree last October at a nearby luxury shopping mall, where two foreigners were killed.

(With inputs from agencies)