Six people found dead in suspected poisoning at upmarket Bangkok hotel

Police say three men and three women, four Vietnamese and two Vietnamese-American, were found dead in a room at the five-star hotel

Police gather in the lobby after an incident, in which six bodies were found at a hotel in Bangkok on July 16, 2024. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Police gather in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok after six bodies were found (Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP)

July 16, 2024 2:16 pm(Updated 8:47 pm)

Six people have been found dead at an upmarket hotel in the Thai capital of Bangkok in a suspected poisoning, according to local authorities.

Investigators said the bodies were foaming at the mouth, an officer from Lumpini police station told the Associated Press. Officials said the alleged poisoning did not appear to be an act of self-harm.

Bangkok police chief Thiti Sangsawang said three of the victims were male and three female, adding that two were Vietnamese Americans and four Vietnamese citizens.

Officers are looking for a seventh person included in the booking at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, the police chief said.

The group checked into different rooms but their bodies were discovered in one room by a maid, who went to the room after they failed to check out on Tuesday and found it locked from the inside, he added.

Policemen walk inside Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel, which believed that at least 6 people have been reported dead, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 16, 2024. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa — Police walk into the hotel where six Vietnamese-Americans were reportedly poisoned on Tuesday (Photo: Reuters/Chalinee Thirasupa)

There was no sign of a struggle. Drinks had been consumed, but food that had been ordered from room service was left uneaten, the police chief said. He would not confirm a cause of death.

Police and rescue services were called to the five-star hotel in the Ratchaprasong area, the entertainment district known for large shopping malls and hotels, around 5.30pm local time. Prime minister Srettha Thavisin visited the scene in the evening and ordered a swift investigation, the government said.

“The prime minister has ordered all agencies to urgently take action to avoid impact on tourism,” it said.

The US State Department said it was “closely monitoring the situation and [we] stand ready to provide consular assistance”, referring questions on the circumstances of the deaths to local authorities.

Local media initially reported a shooting had taken place in the country’s capital. However, police dismissed suggestions of a shooting.

Police said the inquiry was ongoing.

Last year, a teenager was arrested after he shot dead two foreigners at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon mall.

Reports have emerged that the Russian energy minister was due to hold a meeting at the hotel on Wednesday.

i has contacted Vietnam’s embassy in Bangkok.